Quality Custom Distribution (QCD), a division of Golden State Foods, has partnered with Scale Microgrid Solutions and InCharge Energy to electrify its Southern California fleet based in La Puente. This $20 million electrification project, which includes the purchase of 30 zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks, 16 chargers and a renewable energy microgrid to power the chargers, is funded in part by grants and incentives from HVIP, MSRC and the Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP). This specific QCD fleet serves thousands of iconic restaurant chains in the region, including a global coffeehouse brand. 

QCD has demonstrated its commitment to electrification with its total order of 45 Volvo VNR Electric trucks.

For the La Puente site’s transition to an electric fleet, a first-of-its-kind clean energy microgrid will be engineered and installed to power the site’s new EV charging infrastructure as well as its normal business operations. Developed by Scale Microgrid Solutions, the microgrid for QCD’s charging infrastructure will include features such as:  

• A combined 1,200kW of rooftop solar, 250kW of carport solar, 3 megawatt hours (MWh) of battery storage, and 1,500 kilowatts (kW) of backup generation.  

• A modular design approach using pre-engineered components, which accelerates the project construction and installation process, minimizes interruption to QCD fleet operations and makes it easy and affordable to scale as more EVs are added to QCD’s fleet. 

A microgrid allows QCD to electrify its fleet more quickly and cost-efficiently than a utility upgrade, which can take upwards of two years to initiate in Southern California, the companies noted. Additionally, this system enables QCD to reduce their energy costs, guarantees power availability for fleet charging and minimizes the site’s downtime and environmental footprint in the event of a power outage.  

InCharge Energy will engineer, commission and install the charging infrastructure to power the electric fleet. The current plans include installation of 16 ICE-180 chargers–180 kW DC Fast Chargers that can charge two Volvo VNR Electric trucks simultaneously in about two hours These chargers also feature an efficient scalable architecture, allowing for an output of 60, 120 or 180 kW of power depending on the site’s evolving needs. 

QCD, Scale Microgrid Solutions and InCharge Energy have begun development on the project, with the microgrid being installed in parallel with the EV charging infrastructure. The entire project will be completed in 2023.