VB & Linfox start electric truck deliveries

In partnership with Linfox, Victoria Bitter is going green with beer to be delivered across Melbourne via electric vehicle from Friday.

The historic first will see Australia’s most iconic beer transported in a new Volvo FL all electric truck, the first-ever electric vehicle in the Linfox fleet. And it will be the first of many Linfox electric vehicles that deliver Victoria Bitter as electric vehicle production ramps up worldwide.

The VB truck is the first mass-produced electric truck of its size in Australia and the first Volvo FL all-electric in Australia.

It will deliver beer like a regular diesel truck but in a sustainable way: transporting more than 100,000 cans and stubbies each week from Asahi Beverages’ distribution centre in Melbourne’s west to bottleshops and beer lovers across the city.

In another boost for sustainability, the truck will be powered entirely by 100 per cent offset solar power drawn from Asahi Beverages’ solar farm near Mildura in northern Victoria. The truck is the latest sustainability initiative from VB, which has been brewed with 100 per cent offset solar electricity since last year.

Robert Iervasi, Group CEO of Asahi Beverages, which purchased Carlton & United Breweries last year, said: “Linfox has delivered VB for more than 50 years. It’s fitting these two Australian icons are taking this major step towards a sustainable future together.

“This truck will deliver VB and our other beers in a sustainable, safe and efficient way, which makes sound commercial sense.

“It is the first of many electric trucks that will deliver our beer. Transitioning our deliveries to electric vehicles will help us achieve our ambitious sustainability goals of reducing our net carbon emissions across our entire supply chain by 30 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2050.”

The VB truck is decked out in the famous VB green and can travel up to 250km before it needs recharging.

Linfox delivers hundreds of millions of litres of beer annually for Asahi Beverages.

Linfox Executive Chairman Peter Fox said: “Australia’s domestic freight task has doubled in the past decade and will continue to grow. To meet this demand, Australia’s road fleet will also grow and it is essential the fleet does this safely, efficiently and with reduced environmental impact."

“We are proud to introduce Volvo’s first electric vehicle in Australia to the Linfox fleet. The majority of Linfox’s carbon emissions come from transportation tasks. As we continue our journey to act sustainably and achieve zero net emissions by 2030, the way we operate will change in response, with more electric vehicles planned for our fleet and increased use of rail transport where viable.

“Together with our customers, we continue our commitment to build sustainable and reliable supply chains for the future.”

Volvo Group Australia President and CEO Martin Merrick said, “The transport industry is transforming at a rapid rate. Electromobility is rapidly gaining traction as a transport solution and we are proud to partner with Linfox and Asahi Beverages on this exciting new journey.”

“Environmental care is a core value shared not only by Linfox and Volvo Trucks, but also by Asahi Beverages and we are proud of those shared values.”