Ways EV Trucks Could Give One Organic Vegetable Grower a Lift
September 25, 2024 
Pictured is the battery-operated truck Soli Organic is trialing in its fleet.
Photo courtesy of Soli Organic
For nearly 40 years, Soli Organic has been committed to growing leafy greens and herbs sustainably. On Aug. 14, 2024, the company deepened that commitment to the industry with the launch of a partnership and test project with Penske Truck Leasing. The goal of this collaboration is to deploy the Freightliner eCascadia, a battery-operated truck that will deliver Soli Organic’s greens to its customers in a sustainable way.
A Long Time Coming
Launching a battery-operated truck, or electric vehicle (EV), has been a goal of Soli Organic’s for quite some time. After meeting with Penske’s sustainability team at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Conference earlier this year, Soli discovered they both value making carbon-intensive industries more sustainable. By combining Penske’s expertise in trucking and Soli Organic’s sustainably grown leafy greens and herbs, they will be able to distribute high-quality, organic produce to their retail partners while reducing their environmental impact.
“It’s a good partnership for both of us,” said Jeffrey Saunders, vice president of national logistics at Soli Organic. “It really allows us to see what the capabilities of electric vehicles are. Penske knows that improving sustainability within our fleet and reducing our carbon footprint is very important. We’ve had multiple conversations with them about that, and they’ve been an incredible partner.”
While the EV is operating in a pilot test for six months, Saunders is optimistic about the data they have collected during its first 30 days.
![Looking To Grow Crops Under Cover? Here's Some Advice [Video]](https://www.growingproduce.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WP-CEAgTalk-Ep16-full.jpg)
“We’re encouraged about the possibilities of what this could mean for our fleet,” Saunders said. “We want to have a positive impact in this area for sustainability, and this is a step in the right direction.”
Traversing Over Rough Terrains
The six-month pilot test is taking place at Soli Organic’s headquarters in Rockingham, VA. During this time, the EV will deliver herbs and leafy greens to the company’s local retail partners.
One of the biggest factors both companies will focus on during the pilot is battery life and the different elements that affect it. Penske was especially excited about Soli’s location in the Shenandoah Valley’s hilly terrain.
“Virginia is one of our largest sites and we’re traversing over a lot of hills and mountains,” Saunders said. “We have to be sure that an EV is going to work in that type of environment.”
Prior to the commencement of the pilot test, Soli was informed the battery would provide approximately 250 miles of range under flat road conditions. As of mid-September, the electric vehicle has successfully returned to base with 30% battery life remaining after covering over 180 miles of hilly terrain. “This brings us quite close to the 250-mile mark,” Saunders noted.
However, the EV still needs to pass several tests before it’s officially used across Soli facilities. This includes how well it carries heavier loads. The truck may primarily transport leafy greens, but there will be times it needs to carry heavier materials for supply chain pickups.
“The heavier the load, the harder the tractor has to pull,” Saunders said. “What we handle is traditionally light – herbs and greens aren’t very heavy. We haven’t pulled anything that’s super heavy yet, but we will at some point in time.”
For more, continue reading at CEAgWorld.com.
Subscribe Today For
