QCD Fontana Takes Delivery of First Electric Truck

April 1, 2021

This week, QCD Fontana took delivery of a Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 truck—the first zero-emission, battery-electric truck to be deployed in QCD's fleet of more than 700 vehicles. With driver training currently underway, the Volvo VNR Electric model from Volvo Trucks North America will soon begin running last-mile delivery routes to Starbucks locations throughout Southern California.

"As a Volvo Trucks customer for over 13 years, we knew we could expect the same level of safety, comfort, and performance from the VNR Electric as we've always had with the traditional VNR," said Mike Douglas, Senior Director of Strategic Procurement, QCD. "We are continually looking for ways to help our customers reduce their supply chain emissions and are excited to offer a battery-electric last-mile solution that can deliver. We look forward to putting the Volvo VNR Electric to work in our fleet and to more zero-emission deployments going forward."

More than half of QCD's current fleet includes Volvo VNR and VNL models. Between the Fontana and Los Angeles facilities, QCD operates 70 trucks. Leased from Volvo Trucks' dealer Gateway Truck & Refrigeration located in the St. Louis area, the Volvo VNR Electric will be operating various nightly last-mile delivery distribution routes, each totaling nearly 100 miles roundtrip.One of 17 VNR Electric trucks leased to fleet customers through the

One of 17 VNR Electric trucks leased to fleet customers through the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) initiative, the Volvo VNR Electric will help to evaluate battery-electric trucks in a variety of operating conditions. The firsthand operational insight gained will enable QCD to identify the ideal routes in which to integrate additional battery-electric trucks for future operations.

"We are excited to partner with QCD as they begin their fleet electrification journey. Like so many of our customers, QCD depends on their vehicles to deliver every day, without compromise and without exception," said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. "Through the Volvo LIGHTS project, we have given consideration to every possible resource fleets need to make a successful transition to electric vehicles. By creating a holistic electrification ecosystem—from accessing grant funding to the purchase of the truck to establishing a charging infrastructure plan to providing service and support after the sale—Volvo Trucks is ensuring fleets like QCD are supported every step of the way."

The Volvo LIGHTS initiative aims to develop a blueprint for successfully introducing battery-electric trucks and equipment into the market at scale through an innovative collaboration between Volvo Trucks North America, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), and 13 other organizations. The initiative is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities.

"Successful deployment of zero-emission vehicles such as QCD's are needed to achieve our clean air goals," said Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD's executive officer. "By fleets proactively making the switch to cleaner vehicles under the Volvo LIGHTS project, we are reducing air pollution in our local communities."

To help QCD maximize vehicle uptime, TEC Equipment, Volvo Trucks' largest West Coast dealership and a Volvo LIGHTS project partner, will provide contracted maintenance services through its Fontana location.

"Gateway Truck & Refrigeration is proud to be Volvo Trucks' first dealership outside of California to deliver a VNR Electric to a fleet customer," said Zach Wagner, principal for Gateway Truck & Refrigeration. "Our team is looking forward to gaining direct feedback on how battery-electric trucks perform on various QCD delivery routes. This insight will enable us to more effectively guide our other fleet customers throughout Missouri and Illinois in their procurement decisions."