From Our Print Edition

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer recently became the first North American retailer to deploy all-electric semi-trucks outside of California. The two semis will operate out of the chain’s Lansing Distribution Center, which is now equipped with charging infrastructure, and will make multiple deliveries daily to Meijer supercenters within a 200-mile trip range.

With the help of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Meijer will also track the performance of the two Freightliner eCascadia semi-trucks in a cold weather environment, so the agency can better understand the impact of temperature on mileage, charge times, battery life optimization and driver comfort. 

“Through this partnership, we can help accelerate the industry’s transformation to electrification by applying valuable insights from data collected and real-world application in a cold weather climate and make a meaningful difference when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mike Graham, senior vp of supply chain and manufacturing for Meijer, in a press release.