First step as Loblaw commits to a completely electric or hybrid trucking fleet

VANCOUVER, Nov. 3, 2017 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L, "Loblaw") was joined today by the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, at the unveiling of a 53-foot, fully electric Class 8 truck, capable of making commercial grocery deliveries with zero carbon emissions.

The first-of-its-kind truck marks an important step as Loblaw announced its commitment to move its corporately-owned trucking fleet to electric vehicles. The truck was manufactured by BYD, the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and a global leader in battery electric buses and trucks.

"As one of Canada's largest energy users, given the size and scope of our retail network and supply chain, we know we have a critical role to play in helping Canada reach its carbon reduction targets," said Rob Wiebe, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain, Loblaw Companies Limited. "We are committed to leading responsibly in this area, working with our partners like BYD for sustainable solutions to help our company, and our country, meet those goals."

The fully electric Class 8 truck and hybrid refrigerated trailer demonstrated today use technology that will be expanded to Loblaw's fleet in the coming years. Removing diesel from transport trucks and refrigerated trailers could reduce more than 94,000 tonnes of C02 emissions per year, the equivalent of removing more than 20,000 cars¹ from the road.

As part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint 30 percent by 2030, Loblaw has committed to reduce the intensity of transportation emissions to 0.087 gCO2 e/t-km and will continue work to bring technological advances throughout the supply chain.

Since 2011, Loblaw has identified a number of carbon-reduction strategies to help reduce its carbon footprint. Informed by a science-based approach for establishing targets, Loblaw's strategy focuses on reducing emissions across four key areas to increase energy and transportation efficiencies, reduce refrigerant emissions, and improve waste diversion efforts.

By 2030, Loblaw will have reduced emissions associated with electricity consumption by 35 per cent, transportation by 25 per cent, and refrigerants by 50 per cent. It will also improve waste diversion to 80 per cent in stores and 95 per cent in distribution centres.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,400 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ almost 200,000 full and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.

Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,300 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus® and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.

¹ Removal of carbon emissions assumes the electricity used to power the trucks will come from 100% renewable sources.

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited

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