Fonterra has officially launched New Zealand’s first electric milk tanker, Milk-E, as part of the cooperative’s efforts to decarbonise its fleet. The tanker was named by Murchison farmer, Stephen Todd.
Fonterra CEO Fraser Whineray said the co-op was constantly looking ways to decrease emissions – whether it be on farms, sites or transport networks.
“The team at our Morrinsville Workshop have done a fantastic job of pulling this tanker together. Being a New Zealand first, there’s been a lot of creative thinking and Kiwi ingenuity to bring Milk-E to life,” said Whineray.
Changes to the battery configuration have given the team an opportunity to trial other additions to improve milk collection efficiencies, reduce safety concerns, and reduce the amount of work required to customise a Fonterra tanker.
A battery swap system is being installed at the Waitoa site where Milk-E will be based to trial how this could work within a fleet to minimise downtime from battery charging.
Other work done on Milk-E includes the use of an electric pump on the driver’s side, reducing the pipework on the truck by 3.4 metres, minimising tare weight.
The need for a hydraulic tank and pump has been removed and a fully electric motor and pump has been installed.
“It’s been great to see the team turn challenges into opportunities so in addition to trialling Milk-E’s on-road ability, we’re also trialling a new electric pump, hose configuration and cabinetry,” said Whineray.
Fonterra received co-funding from the Government’s Low Emissions Transport Fund (LEFT), which is administered by EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority).
EECA group manager investment and engagement, Nicki Sutherland, said, “We’re pleased to see this project come to life. New Zealand has ambitious targets to rapidly reduce carbon emissions, and transport is key, but heavy freight has proven hard to decarbonise. If successful, this project could be replicated across a number of New Zealand businesses.”
The electric milk tanker will operate out of Fonterra’s Waitoa site, which Whineray says is very fitting, given it was the site of New Zealand’s largest fleet of electric milk trucks 100 years ago.
