Working with a range of manufacturers to implement electric vehicles into its operations, NFI received its first electric truck in August 2019 and will have 40 electric vehicles in its operational fleet by mid-2020, including electric yard tractors.
Partnered with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and Volvo Trucks in conjunction with California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), NFI is incorporating the electric tractors into its drayage operations in Southern California, where its distribution portfolio spans over 15 million square feet. As a Volvo Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) program partner, NFI will be adding 10 lithium battery-powered forklifts, two electric yard tractors, and 10 automotive chargers. In addition to the West Coast, NFI offers an expansive drayage presence that spans major ports, rail terminals, and logistics hubs across the U.S.
NFI was one of the first companies to deploy the Class 8 battery electric Freightliner eCascadias into its Southern California operations in September 2019, the company says. With plans to receive nine additional eCascadias, NFI will test the battery electric vehicles under real-world conditions and provide feedback to help enhance the integration of commercial electric vehicles into operations. NFI has also installed electric charging stations within its Southern California operations.
NFI is also partnered with Volvo Trucks and for the LIGHTS project, in which NFI will operate Volvo Trucks’ all-electric truck demonstrators within its Southern California drayage fleet in early 2020.
NFI will also receive 25 Kalmar Ottawa Electric T2E Terminal Tractors early next year for use in its California distribution centers. These terminal tractors will replace all the company-owned diesel terminal tractors in its California operations. The Kalmar Ottawa Electric T2Es are designed for trailer handling operations in dispersed warehouses, container terminals and other applications where short-distance road travel is required.The Kalmar Ottawa T2E does not generate fumes and produces minimal noise, vibrations, and heat. NFI will also be installing its own infrastructure to support these vehicles, in addition to its electric trucks.
