Producers Dairy Deploys First Volvo VNR Electric Trucks

Producers Dairy announced it will now deliver farm-to-table goods with zero tailpipe emissions through the integration of two Volvo VNR Electric trucks into its fleet.

The Volvo VNR Electric trucks are the first commercial, battery-electric Class 8 trucks to be deployed in California’s Central Valley, according to the comapny's news release.

The Volvo VNR Electric model was designed as a transportation solution for local and regional distribution, pickup and delivery, and food and beverage distribution. The two Volvo VNR Electric units will be the first Class 8 battery-electric vehicles in the company’s fleet of more than 300 trucks and will service regional distribution routes from its Fresno-based manufacturing facility to grocery stores in communities along the 40-mile stretch of Highway 99 from Selma to Madera, Calif.

“Through the deployment of its first two Volvo VNR Electrics, Producers Dairy is truly leading by example on the path to a more environmentally friendly future, which is at the core of the company’s mission,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Our team is grateful for the investment that our dealer partner, Affinity Truck Center, made in becoming the Central Valley’s first Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer to provide Producers Dairy and other customers in the region with premium support to maximize the uptime of their Volvo VNR Electric trucks.”

The project was supported by funding from Carb’s GGRF Zero Emission Drayage Truck Project as part of California Climate Investments. Producers Dairy received $1.25 million to purchase, install, and integrate two Volvo VNR Electric trucks into its larger fleet.

“We are excited to integrate these first two Volvo VNR Electric trucks into our fleet as we work to reduce emissions on our local delivery routes,” said Scott Shehadey, president, Producers Dairy. “This investment in zero-tailpipe-emission technology aligns with our corporate mission to enhance the quality of people’s lives, and we are grateful to each of the organizations that supported us with today’s successful vehicle deployment, including Volvo Trucks, Affinity Truck Center, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and AMPLY Power.”

Producers Dairy also worked with Amply Power to design and install the supporting charging infrastructure for its Volvo VNR Electric trucks.

“The deployment of two zero-emission battery-electric trucks at Producers Dairy’s Fresno-based manufacturing facility shows how companies can make innovative, real-world steps to improving air quality in the Central Valley region,” said Tania Pacheco-Werner, CARB member representing the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD). “I applaud the project partners for their collaboration on getting these fully electric trucks on the road and look forward to seeing Producers Dairy utilize the lessons learned from this deployment to scale up its battery-electric fleet and charging infrastructure in the future.”