Grocery wholesaler United Natural Foods, Inc. is deploying two battery-electric semi-trucks and five regenerative electric refrigerated trailer systems. UNFI is deploying the trucks and trailers in the Sacramento and Gilroy, California markets, just in time for the peak holiday selling season.

UNFI’s new zero-emission refrigerated delivery system on route to customers in the Sacramento, CA market.

UNFI worked with Penske Truck Leasing to secure two class-8 electric trucks: the Freightliner eCascadia, and the Volvo VNR Electric models. Both vehicles are well equipped for safety and driver comfort and include air-ride seats, air suspension, easy charging, and ample battery range and torque to meet UNFI’s typical freight hauling and delivery needs.

UNFI will combine these trucks with refrigerated trailers cooled by Carrier’s Vector eCool transport refrigeration unit (TRU). The all-electric Vector eCool uses power generated by ConMet eMobility’s nMotion TR 160-45, an in-wheel electric motor application that repurposes energy captured during coasting and braking.

Combining clean, regenerated energy and Carrier’s powerful Vector unit will help UNFI keep customers’ deliveries cold mile after mile while creating zero emissions.

UNFI recently completed a study on heavy-duty fleet electrification planning funded by the CA Energy Commission. The results are helping to define the steps required to implement charging infrastructure and electric vehicles at multiple locations, including the Company facility in Gilroy.