Walmart Canada announced plans to power its fleet using 100 per cent alternative power by 2028. To meet that goal, the company has plans to acquire an additional 30 Tesla 18-wheeler semi-trucks, building on its original order of 10 trucks in November 2017.
With 40 Tesla Semis in total, the company will feature one of the largest electrified fleets planned by a company in Canada and will reach an initial milestone to convert 20 per cent of Walmart’s fleet to electric power by 2022.
The move comes as Walmart Canada continues to put sustainability at the forefront of its business operations, finding new and innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint while continuing to focus on the critical issue of driver safety.
The first 20 Tesla Semis will be used to support Walmart Canada’s fleet base in Mississauga, Ontario. The remaining 20 trucks will be allocated to the company’s recently-announced Surrey, British Columbia sustainable fulfillment centre, which is set to open in 2022. This state-of-the-art facility will feature a fully electric Walmart fleet base, a first for Walmart internationally.
“We are always looking for innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and lead the industry in the drive for sustainable change,” said John Bayliss, senior vice-president, logistics and supply chain, Walmart Canada. “By converting 20 per cent of our fleet to electric vehicles by 2022 and committing to alternative power for all fleet vehicles by 2028, we are putting safety, innovation and sustainability at the forefront of our logistics network.”
According to Tesla, the Semi will deliver a better experience for truck drivers, while increasing safety and significantly reducing the cost of cargo transport. The company cites the following sustainability and safety features as key highlights on the new vehicles:
– The Tesla Semi consumes less than two kilowatt-hours of energy per mile at Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and highway speed, earning 50 per cent more per mile than in a regular truck
– 500 Miles range allows a driver to go to their destination and back without recharging (500 mile range at maximum weight at highway speed)
– Capable of 0-60 mph in 20 seconds with a full 80,000-pound load and can climb 5 per cent grades at a steady 65 mph (compared to 45mph for same grade in a diesel truck)
– Regenerative braking technology recovers 98 per cent of kinetic energy to the battery, suggesting an infinite battery life
– Surrounding vehicle cameras aid object detection and minimize blind spots, automatically alerting the driver to safety hazards and obstacles
– Additional driver safety features including Automatic Emergency Braking, Automatic Lane Keeping, Lane Departure Warning
The ability to travel 500 miles per charge is in line with Walmart Canada’s general fleet system, which consists mainly of single day round trips – allowing for the ability to convert from diesel at a faster pace. The enhanced driver safety features also offer a significant opportunity for the company to continue to address this critical issue.
Leadership in environmental sustainability and reducing the environmental impact play an essential role in the activities of Walmart Canada. The company is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by selling products that are routed to the market in a sustainable way, reducing energy consumption and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
