Coles buys electric truck to transport groceries

While the acquisition seems promising, it could be little more than a publicly stunt, with only a few stores likely to be serviced by the single 100km-range electric truck.

A single electric truck has joined the Coles logistics fleet in NSW – however, there appears to be no current plans for broader adoption.

Provided through logistics giant Linfox, the Mitsubishi-built Fuso eCanter will be used to transport products from a distribution hub in Eastern Creek to “a number of Coles Local supermarkets.”

However, its 82.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack permits a maximum range of just 100km in perfect conditions – suggesting only a few Western Sydney stores will likely be within its practical reach.

While a promotional photo shows the vehicle crossing the ANZAC Bridge in Sydney’s inner west (above), it would be unable to complete the circa-110km round trip from the depot to the bridge – and back – without stopping for a top up.

A single electric motor in the Fuso eCanter sends 135kW/390Nm to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission, permitting a top speed of approximately 90km/h.

The steel ladder chassis is rated for a maximum load of 4.15 tonnes, and it’s unclear if the 100km range figure represents laden or unladen performance.

“As a logistics provider that has traditionally relied on fossil fuels, Linfox has made a commitment to find alternative sources of energy,” Linfox executive Peter Fox said in a statement.

Coles reportedly operates approximately 2700 trucks at present, meaning less than 0.04 per cent of its total fleet is powered by electricity.

Last year Australia Post imported 20 examples of the Fuso eCanter for use across its operations. You can read that story by clicking here.

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