Groupe Bellemare took the opportunity to participate in the Quebec Innovation District through the electrification of transportation. In collaboration with truck manufacturer Peterbilt, 100% electric trucks can finally be integrated into Groupe Bellemare’s vehicle fleet.
One of the electric prototypes, made by Peterbilt, entered the backyard of the Belmar Group. You’ll hit the road on Tuesday for road tests that should last all week. The goal is to evaluate its performance on a specific road and compile data to see how an electric truck can meet a company’s needs.
“We have sites a little further down the industrial street, we’ll do the tests, we’ll really take the data and see in the future if it works well for the whole year period,” explained Groupe Bellemare railcar and equipment specialist Sascha Bellemare.
Groupe Bellemare wants to participate in the energy transition and help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Peterbilt electric vans could be part of the solution.
“We agree that diesel is the fuel that emits a lot of greenhouse gases. At the moment, the electric side could be a solution at Groupe Bellemare,” said Mr. Bellemare.
With a fleet of around 350 vehicles, it remains to be seen how many cars can be replaced by an electric version. The model unveiled on Monday at Groupe Bellemare has 240 kilometers of autonomy, which means that it will be necessary to favor predictable and shorter routes. The difference, Mr. Bellemare noted, is that a diesel truck can travel 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers each day. He added that the autonomy of the electric version would still be possible to complete the circuit route planned by the Belmar Group every day without problems.
“In a diesel truck, when we brake, we convert our energy for motion into heat through the braking system. It is wasted. In an electric truck, much of that comes back to the batteries. Why is an electric truck efficient in town, in traffic, around ports and airports? Because they regenerate braking energy,” added Martin Blanchett, Canada Alternative Energy Sales Director, Peterbilt.
A few charging stations have already been installed in Trois-Rivières and near the Groupe Bellemare square, facilitating local transport.
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