Loblaw testing hybrid truck to reduce carbon footprint

Canada's largest food distributor, Loblaw Companies Limited, has set a target to improve the fuel efficiency of its corporate transport fleet by two per cent compared to its 2009 level. To do that they're testing a hybrid class 8 truck from PeterBilt.

"We constantly challenge ourselves in all areas of our business against our corporate social responsibility principles. The hybrid truck pilot is one of the many initiatives undertaken in our supply chain to meet our fuel economy goals for 2010. We believe we are on the right track to once again lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions associated with the transportation of goods to our stores," said Robert Wiebe, senior vice president, Supply Chain, Loblaw Companies Limited.

Learn more about the truck after the jump.

The truck, which entered the fleet in July, is a Model 386 Hybrid and features a parallel hybrid system which includes a regenerative braking system that captures heat energy from the brakes and uses it to power the electric motor during acceleration.

The energy can also be used to power the a/c, heat and other electrical systems when the truck is pulled over at a rest stop, negating the need to run the engine (the engine will automatically start up for 5 minutes every hour to charge the system).

"At Peterbilt we work hard to ensure our trucks are some of the cleanest, most fuel efficient vehicles on the road," says Matt Preston, Canadian fleet sales manager, Peterbilt of Canada. "We are always looking for ways to provide our customers with products that will reduce emissions, and provide the performance and economics that our customers need."

[Source: Loblaw Companies Limited and Peterbilt]