Electric truck for VB beer deliveries in Melbourne

Victoria Bitter has announced it will use an electric vehicle (EV) for deliveries across Melbourne. The Volvo FL all-electric truck will be the first of many Linfox electric vehicles that deliver Victoria Bitter.

More than 100,000 cans and stubbies will be transported by the electric truck each week from Asahi Beverages’ distribution centre in Melbourne’s west to bottle shops across the city.

The truck will be powered entirely by 100% 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% 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.

“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% by 2030 and to zero by 2050.”

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

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

Australia’s domestic freight task has doubled in the past decade and will continue to grow, according to Linfox Executive Chairman Peter Fox.

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

Image credit: Volvo Group.