Food distribution giant Sysco (NYSE: SYY) has unveiled plans for the Riverside Electric Vehicle Hub, which will transform the company’s distribution center into the focal point of its electrified fleet.
Currently, Sysco operates 11 Freightliner eCascadia electric tractors at its Riverside facility, and expects to have 20 in operation this year. In 2021, Sysco announced its intent to deploy nearly 800 eCascadias by 2026. The company aims to add 2,800 electric trucks to its US fleet by 2030.
Once completed, the Riverside facility will serve 40 Class 8 EVs and 40 electric refrigerated trailers, supported by 40 dual-port DC fast chargers. The site will also feature 4 MWh of battery storage and will increase its solar power generation by 1.5 MW.
“This is a massive collaborative effort that has required years of planning,” said Marie Robinson, Sysco’s Chief Supply Chain Officer. “We’re grateful to our many partners on this journey for their vision, innovation and leadership.”
As most large-scale fleet electrification projects do, Sysco’s plans involve numerous partner firms.
InCharge Energy and ABB E-mobility are supplying 40 Terra 124 DC fast chargers.
Carrier Transicold North America supplied the Vector eCool refrigerated trailer system, which generates energy from regenerative braking to power an electric trailer refrigeration unit, using an in-wheel motor system from ConMet. “By generating electrical energy to power electric TRUs, trailer temperatures are sustained for food safety purposes, whilst providing large diesel savings to the fleet,” said Marc Trahand, VP and General Manager of ConMet’s eMobility division.
Black & Veatch provided comprehensive design, engineering, permitting, procurement and construction management.
GNA spearheaded efforts to secure incentives for the EVs, chargers, photovoltaic system and battery energy storage system.
Stem provided its Athena energy management platform, and bp pulse provided its omega charge management software.
Source: Sysco
Source: Charged EVs