Home Hardware Stores Limited Unveils Electric Future with Volvo Trucks

Posted: September 18, 2024
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Category: Industry News

Volvo Trucks North America customer, Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canada’s largest dealer-owned and operated home improvement retailer, has officially introduced two Volvo VNR Electric trucks to their fleet. The trucks are the first zero-tailpipe emission vehicles to join the Home brand.

“We are thrilled to partner with Home Hardware Stores Limited in their journey towards a sustainable future by integrating our Volvo VNR Electric trucks into their fleet. This collaboration marks a significant step in reducing emissions and enhancing urban delivery efficiency,” said Matthew Blackman, managing director for Canada, Volvo Trucks North America. “By adopting these zero-tailpipe emission vehicles, Home Hardware Stores Limited is setting a new standard in the home improvement industry.”

The two Volvo VNR Electric 6×4 tractors deployed by Home Hardware are equipped with a six-battery pack configuration, offering a range of up to 442 kilometers (275 miles). The trucks are used for last-mile deliveries from the company’s distribution center in St. Jacobs to stores within a 100-to-150 kilometer radius. The battery-electric trucks will help deliver home improvement and building materials to Dealers under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre, and Home Furniture banners.

“We are proud to introduce our new battery-electric trucks to our privately-owned fleet,” said Kevin Macnab, president and chief executive officer, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “Recognized by the Private Motor Truck Council as Safest Large Fleet, as well as Trucking HR Canada as a Top Fleet Employer and a Fleet of Distinction, Home Hardware Stores Limited is committed to forward-thinking logistics that evolve our supply chain to best support our dealers so they can serve their communities.”

The Volvo VNR Electric truck is well-suited for urban deliveries as a zero-tailpipe emissions transportation solution, while significantly reducing heat, noise, and vibrations. This provides a quieter and more comfortable experience for the driver, leading to greater productivity and job satisfaction. The truck’s quiet operation minimizes noise pollution, which is particularly beneficial in urban areas and the residential communities served by Home Hardware and Building Centre locations.

Vision Truck Group, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada was the first Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealer in the Greater Toronto area. They supported Home Hardware Stores Limited in identifying the ideal Volvo VNR Electric configuration for their operations utilizing the Electric Performance Generator (EPG) tool. This tool enables fleet managers to simulate real-world routes for their battery-electric trucks, considering specific route details including traffic patterns and terrain. The dealership also provides training programs for drivers to understand the nuances of operating a battery-electric truck, including efficient driving practices to maximize range.

Vision Truck Group will continue to support Home Hardware Stores Limited on its electromobility journey through the comprehensive Gold Service Contract from Volvo Trucks. The Gold Contract is a premium service offering, exclusively for the VNR Electric truck ensuring operational peace of mind and serves to maximize customer uptime, battery state of health and more.

Home Hardware Stores Limited is collaborating with AUX Energy, a wholly owned Hydro One energy solutions company, to provide charging infrastructure at its distribution center for the Volvo VNR Electric trucks. Vision Truck Group assisted Home Hardware Stores Limited in evaluating and securing funding options to offset the cost of the battery-electric trucks and supporting charging infrastructure. Home Hardware Stores Limited utilized funding through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and its Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development (EVID) to help build the charging infrastructure.

About Home Hardware Stores Limited

Founded 60 years ago in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Home Hardware Stores Limited is proudly Canadian and the country’s largest Dealer-owned and operated home improvement retailer with more than 1,000 stores operating under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. The Home Hardware Dealer network improves life at home by providing superior home improvement retail experiences through helpful advice and a deep understanding of the communities they serve. Home Hardware Stores Limited is designated as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and recognized as one of Canada’s Best Employers. More information about the company is available at homehardware.ca.

About Volvo

Volvo Trucks North America, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturers in North America. Its Uptime Services commitment is delivered by a network of nearly 400 authorized dealers across North America and the 24/7 Volvo Trucks Uptime Center. Every Volvo truck is assembled in the Volvo Trucks New River Valley manufacturing facility in Dublin, Virginia, which meets the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, 14001 standard for environmental care and holds a dual ISO 50001/Superior Energy Performance certification at the platinum level, indicating a sustained excellence in energy management. Volvo Trucks North America provides complete transport solutions for its customers, offering a full range of diesel, alternative-fuel and all-electric vehicles, and is part of the Volvo Trucks global organization.

Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,200 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the globe. In 2023 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks’ work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

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