Quality Custom Distribution, a national food service logistics supplier, will lease and deploy 14 Volvo VNR Electric models in its Southern California last-mile delivery routes over the next two years. It's the largest single purchasing commitment of Volvo VNR Electric trucks to date, according to the truck maker.

Volvo Trucks will begin delivering the Class 8 battery-electric trucks to QCD this fall to operate out of its distribution center in Fontana, California. Greenlots will design and install eight high-power charging stations at the distribution center to power the trucks.

The trucks will be manufactured at Volvo’s New River Valley plant in Virginia.

QCD deployed its first VNR Electric truck earlier this month. By the end of 2022, QCD’s total fleet of VNR Electric trucks will total 15. Overall, QCD operates 700 Class 8 tractors.

The 14 leased Volvo VNR Electric trucks and supporting charging equipment are assisted with funding by a $3.9 million grant awarded to Volvo Financial Services from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee’s Inland Port Program, which helps fleet owners in the Inland Empire transition to zero- or near-zero emission goods movement.

Combined with MSRC grant funds, the leases provided through the program will reduce QCD’s total cost of operating the electric vehicles, making the trucks cost-competitive with existing diesel technology, Volvo officials said in a press release.

Delivered by Volvo Trucks’ dealership Gateway Truck & Refrigeration, QCD’s 14 Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be operating on various delivery distribution routes within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

“Gateway Truck & Refrigeration is proud to be a part of this landmark project,” said Zach Wagner, principal for Gateway Truck & Refrigeration. “The real-world insights gained from these vehicles operating in QCD’s daily routes will help us continue to offer the Volvo VNR Electric to our fleet customers.”