Truck driver Robin Jooste receives the keys to the Shoprite Group’s first electric truck from CEO Pieter Engelbrecht
The Shoprite Group has started testing a Scania heavy-duty electric truck as part of its delivery fleet.
Robin Jooste, 28, from Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, has been selected to drive the vehicle.
The 100% electric refrigerated truck can hold about 16 pallets. It has a fully electric cooling system, powered by the vehicle’s battery packs, and aided by solar panels on the roof of the vehicle.
With a range of about 350 km, the vehicle will be used for localised deliveries, and will be recharged using renewable energy generated by Shoprite’s existing solar installations.
The truck also features glow-in-the-dark signage, which will make it more visible when travelling at night.
“As Africa’s largest grocery retailer, the Shoprite Group places significant focus on reducing its environmental impact across its operations,” says group chief supply chain officer Andrew Havinga.
“One of the ways we are doing this is by increasing the energy efficiency of our truck fleet.
“The acquisition of this truck . . . is another major move in this direction.”
Shoprite says the addition of the electric truck forms part of the group’s ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain.
It recently also acquired more than 100 Euro 5 low-emission trucks.
More than 900 of its trailers are also fitted with solar panels, which enable the refrigeration and tailgate lift to continue running, even when the truck is switched off.