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Quality Custom Distribution operates a truck fleet that serves thousands of restaurants in Southern California. The company has partnered with Scale Microgrid Solutions and InCharge Energy to electrify its fleet.
This $20-million electrification project includes the purchase of 30 Volvo VNR Electric trucks (the company has ordered a total of 45), plus 16 chargers and a renewable energy microgrid that will power both EV charging infrastructure and normal operations at QCD’s La Puente facility.
The microgrid will include 1,200 kW of rooftop solar, 250 kW of carport solar, 3 MWh of battery storage and 1,500 kW of backup generation. It features a modular design that uses pre-engineered components and is designed to streamline the construction process and minimize interruption to QCD’s fleet operations. QCD says opting for the microgrid will allow it to electrify its fleet more quickly and cost-efficiently than a utility upgrade, which can take upwards of two years in Southern California.
InCharge Energy will engineer, commission and install the charging infrastructure to power the electric fleet. Current plans call for 16 ICE-180 chargers—180 kW DC fast chargers that can charge two Volvo VNR Electric trucks simultaneously in about two hours. The chargers’ scalable architecture can deliver an output of 60, 120 or 180 kW of power, depending on the site’s evolving needs.
The microgrid will be installed in parallel with the charging infrastructure, and the entire project is to be completed in 2023.
“QCD’s long-term commitment to sustainability and our customers’ success depends upon reliable clean energy infrastructure,” said Shane Blanchette, Senior Director, Operations, QCD. “As we pursue emissions reduction initiatives, our partnership with Scale Microgrid Solutions and InCharge Energy will enable QCD to leverage emerging technologies in clean energy to resiliently power our growing battery-electric truck fleet and our logistics operation that currently supports more than 7,500 US quick service restaurants.”
“As fleets electrify, the transportation sector is merging into the electricity sector,” said Tim Hade, co-founder and COO of Scale Microgrid Solutions. “A holistic energy solution allows fleets to continue their operations while reducing the risk of supply issues associated with utility power.”
“This project is a prime example of how collaboration and expertise across disciplines can accelerate fleet electrification,” said Terry O’Day, COO of InCharge Energy. “Between QCD’s telematics data, Scale’s flexible design strategy and our team’s laser focus on reliable infrastructure, we were able to develop a solution that reduces local pollution from diesel particulates, eliminates climate pollution, improves fleet operations and reduces costs, especially with the support of the grants and incentives we secured from Southern California Associated Governments.”
Source: InCharge Energy
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