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Coke Canada Bottling to pilot its first EVs in the Montreal area

Coke Canada Bottling to pilot first EVs in the Montreal area

MONTREAL — Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited (Coke Canada Bottling) announced on Aug. 16 that the company is launching a pilot to use Ford E-Transit light-duty electric service vehicles in the Greater Montreal Area. The three, fully electric vans will help service the company’s 16,000 customers in the local market. This is a first for the bottler and represents a step on its journey to take action to decrease emissions from its fleet.

“We’re very pleased to add the Ford E-Transit to our delivery fleet,” says Stephen du Toit, President and COO of Coke Canada. “We know we have work to do to decrease the emissions from our fleet and we’re considering everything from electrification to biofuels and options like hydrogen. We’re building a business with sustainability at the foundation of our future and are looking to partner with suppliers who are leading the change in these areas to help us do it.”

The pilot includes installing EV chargers at facilities and at employees’ homes to help minimize the number of kilometres travelled. It will also test all-weather capabilities and service equipment performance and feasibility all while maintaining a focus on delivering on customer commitments. Coke Canada currently has 275 light-duty vehicles across Canada and 25 in the Greater Montreal Area. They service over 113,000 customers across the country who need support with vending and refrigeration. The company hopes to expand the pilot pending results.

Earlier this year, Coke Canada announced a partnership with 4Refuel to test the usage of B20 biofuels on all trucks newer than 2012 at the company’s facilities in Brampton, Richmond, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Montreal is home to over 450 Coke Canada Bottling employees.