Shoprite employs heavy-duty electric truck that glows in the dark

The Shoprite Group, which owns popular grocery store Checkers, has become the first retailer in South Africa to employ a heavy-duty electric truck as part of its delivery vehicle fleet.

In stark contrast to the usual diesel-driven trucks, the new Scania 25P is powered solely by batteries and therefore emits no harmful carbon dioxide gasses which supports the company’s push to reduce its environmental impact.

“The refrigerated truck can hold approximately 16 pallets, has nine batteries, solar panels fitted to its roof, and a fully electric cooling system which is also powered by the battery packs of the vehicle,” said Shoprite.

It’s driven by two electric motors with a combined output of 850kW and the 624kWh battery module can be fully charged in 90 minutes on a 375kW plug.

With a maximum range and loading capacity of 350km and 64 tonnes, respectively, the new Scania will be used mainly for local deliveries and will be recharged using renewable energy generated by the group’s existing solar installations, it said.

While there are other electric trucks already roaming our roads, Shoprite’s Scania is one of, if not the first heavy-duty truck in the country to be driven by electricity alone.

Another first for Shoprite’s fleet, the Scania features specially made glow-in-the-dark signage that will make it more visible when traveling at night as it will be much quieter than conventional trucks.

Shoprite’s fleet is going green

Shoprite Group’s acquisition of the emissions-free Scania 25P is the latest initiative it has taken to lessen its impact on the environment.

In August, the company purchased more than 100 of the “most fuel-efficient Euro 5 compliant trucks” on the market in the form of the Scania G450 XT, which uses around 10% less fuel while simultaneously putting out fewer harmful gasses than the previously-used vehicles.

Additionally, more than 900 of its trailers are fitted with solar panels which enable the refrigeration and tailgate lift to continue to run on solar power while the truck is switched off.

In the 2020/2021 financial year, the group’s delivery fleet traveled approximately 90 million kilometres across the country delivering goods to various depots, making any effort to be more eco-friendly highly impactful.