Producers Dairy Deploys First Volvo VNR Electric Trucks in California’s Central Valley

Producers Dairy, a dairy processor and direct-to-store supplier, will integrate 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.

The 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, California.

The project was supported by funding from the California Air Resources Board’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.

Producers Dairy worked with Amply Power to design and install the supporting charging infrastructure for its Volvo VNR Electric trucks and utilizes Amply’s Omega digital solution to monitor charging infrastructure, optimize energy costs, and maximize charger and vehicle uptime. The Fresno dairy processing facility includes two 150 kW DC fast chargers and the ability to scale for increased capacity in the future.

Amply Power will work with Producers Dairy to maximize charging efficiency and cost-effectiveness with intelligent charge management services, while ensuring that the trucks are available to complete their mission-critical deliveries.

“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 of Producers Dairy, a third-generation family business run by the Shehadey family. “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, and Amply Power.”

Affinity Truck Center’s Fresno dealership will support Producers Dairy with the integration of VNR Electric trucks into its fleet through the Volvo Gold Contract, which incorporates maintenance, full coverage on components, and towing and uptime services. Its service team completed the robust training required as part of the Volvo Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer program and is prepared to  perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs. The dealer was the Central Valley’s first Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer.

“Deploying battery-electric fleet trucks can be a complex process that requires a customer to engage numerous stakeholders and begin planning 12 to 18 months in advance for charging infrastructure needs,” said Kim Mesfin, president of Affinity Truck Center. “As a Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer, we are ready to support fleets throughout the Central Valley with their electromobility goals—including identifying ideal routes and vehicle configurations, support with incentive funding, identifying infrastructure partners, and maximizing vehicle uptime through the Volvo Gold Contract.”

Originally posted on Trucking Info