Vancouver Island company believes its first in Canada to use fully electric refrigeration truck
A Langford, B.C., transport company specializing in hauling food believes the newest addition to its fleet is a national first in electric vehicle technology.
"We’re the first ones in Canada to do an electric, refrigerated truck," said Coldstar Solutions Inc. CEO Kelly Hawes.
To date, Coldstar’s main focus for commercial green vehicles has been under its compressed natural gas vehicle program. It has 25 of them in its fleet, along with nine diesel trucks.
Then, while seeking options to expand during the COVID-19 pandemic, it faced significant supply chain issues – which eventually led Hawes to partner with two Canadian companies for an innovative solution to obtain the EV truck.
"It’s kind of a fun project of mine," said Hawes. "It’s taken a little over a year to put together."
Coldstar Solutions worked with a heavy-duty truck manufacturing company, Lion Electric, in Montreal to build the vehicle.
At the same time, Richmond, B.C.’s Volta Air built an electric reefer so Coldstar could introduce the refrigerated component. A special cargo box was also built with lighter and more insulated features.
The hauling truck went into service on June 1, 2022 – and driver Shane Maxwell says it’s a conversation piece on the road.
"Everywhere we go, people want to come out and talk about it," said the Coldstar employee of 10 years.
Canadian policy advisors say more vehicles like it are needed nationally.
"If Canada wants to reach its emissions targets and emissions goals, electrifying transportation will be a key part of that," said Ekta Bibra with Clean Energy Canada.
"In particular, these trucks and buses take up almost 10 per cent, at least, of our emissions nationally. So the emissions savings are really important because there’s no emissions that come from the tailpipe of these vehicles," said Bibra.
CONVERSION COSTS
The upfront cost for Coldstar to introduce its EV truck has been significant – three times the prices of a diesel version at $477,000.
The company received a $100,000 grant from the province of B.C., but didn’t qualify for one at the federal level. It also spent $77,000 on the required infrastructure for a charging station.
"This truck running five days a week, servicing the Victoria area, has cost us $354 in all of that time in hydro, which equals about just under six cents a kilometre," said Hawes. "A diesel truck doing the exact same route was costing us $134 a day."
Coldstar anticipates it’ll take six years for the truck to pay for itself. It would like to expand, potentially adding as many as two more within the next year, but the company stops short of calling for a full switch just yet.
"Whether there’s a business model for this particular truck at this price, I’m not sure we’re there yet," said Hawes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.