SAB commits to a renewable future with very first electrical truck
SAB and InBev have committed to a renewable future and one of the ways to achieve this is with South Africa's first ever electric truck.
South African Breweries (SAB) and AB InBev Africa’s Chamdor branch recently celebrated an exciting moment – not only for the company, but also for the future of South Africa.
The media and partners were invited to attend a remarkable event on 16 January when they launched South Africa’s very first electrical truck and the company’s renewable energy programme. This forms part of a multi-billion rand investment of which the ultimate goal is to use renewable energy for their brewery.
“Onsite solar power at its seven South African breweries will partially power each facility and represent seven per cent of the business’s electricity requirements. This is equivalent to taking approximately 2 000 vehicles off SA’s roads,” a statement from the company said.
The plan is that 50 per cent of the company’s purchased electricity would come from renewable energy sources by 2020, and one hundred per cent by 2025.
“We’ve achieved our 50 per cent target in key markets across the globe ahead of schedule, and we are well on track to achieve our 100 per cent ambition with good progress being made in Africa,” said Taryn Rosekilly, Vice President for Sustainability, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
The electronic truck that was launched is called the eCanter and is designed and Manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. It is a seven and a half ton truck that has zero emissions, a first of its kind in the world.
Photos: Natasha Pretorius.
The vehicle has a battery capacity of 82,2kWh and can travel 100 to 120 kilometres on a full battery. It also has an overnight charge and a quick charge for long trips.
The truck is already being used in countries like Germany, Japan and Portugal, and will soon be seen on South African roads.
The Chamdor Brewery has also completed the first installation of solar power, and the company plans on continuing this process with the other breweries in the country.
