Ambev, owner of brands such as Skol, Brahma, Antarctica and Guaraná, announced that by 2023, it will use 1,600 electric trucks made by Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus to transport beverages. With the partnership, about 35% of the fleet serving the brewery will consist of clean energy-powered vehicles, no longer emitting over 30.4K tons of carbon in its logistic chain per year. The deal is the VWCO’s largest for the cargo segment this year.
The first truck to be part of this fleet will be the VW e-Delivery, which will hit the streets later this year, opening the first test phase to determine the most appropriate technology for Ambev’s operations. The model will be 100% recharged with electric power from clean sources, like wind and solar.
The partnership is a landmark in the history of both companies: it is the biggest announcement of this kind ever made in the world. The teamwork represents an important step towards a less fossil fuel-dependent future, and aims at reducing even more greenhouse gases emissions by the fleet that attends Ambev Brewery. Between 2014 and 2017, the company has already reduced its index by 33.9%.
“Our dream is to bring people together for a better world. For that reason, we are always searching for partners who are engaged with the same causes to offer new technologies and processes that have a positive impact in the environment, like Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus. We are sure that this project will greatly contribute to the construction of the sustainable legacy we want to leave for future generations”, says Guilherme Gaia, Director of Logistics and Supply of Ambev.
This is the first 100% electric light truck in Latin America with zero CO2 emission. The solution aligns with the VW Truck & Bus policy of development and promotion of clean technologies, as Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus is part of this group.
“Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus’ global development center, headquartered in Brazil, investigated and applied the best solutions available in the world and locally to satisfy our customers’ needs in low emission vehicles for emerging countries. Thanks to our 20-year long partnership with Ambev, we have been the first to develop commercial vehicles for beverage distribution. And now, once more, we sprint off together to enter the electric era”, stresses Roberto Cortes, CEO of VW Caminhões e Ônibus, manufacturer of Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus and MAN brands.
Developed in Brazil, the vehicles bring state-of-art solutions for green logistics, like smart systems to adjust the battery demand according to the operation and recover power from braking. The trucks may reach up to 200 kilometers of autonomy depending on the vehicle’s application and settings. The noise level is extremely low when compared to traditional models, enhancing the comfort of the driver and his/her helpers during operation.
Social-environmental sustainability is a central pillar of Ambev’s businesses. Over the last five years, the company invested over R$ 1 billion in projects turned to this purpose on its operations. The amount contributed to overcome six of the seven goals announced in 2013 to be reached in 2017. Now, the brewery has announced another major step in in this work, with new commitments, which are expected to be met by 2025. The goals, defined globally by AB InBev, are divided into four cores, one of which specifically refers to reducing carbon emissions in its operations and buying power from renewable sources:
Climate Actions: 100% of the power bought by Ambev must come from renewable sources. Also, the company will reduce by 25% the carbon emissions along its value chain.
Recyclable Packaging: 100% of Ambev’s products must be supplied in packaging that is returnable or mainly made of recycled content.
Water Management: expressively improve the availability and quality of the water for 100% of the communities in highly water-stressed areas with which the brewery has a relationship.
Smart Agriculture: 100% of the brewery’s agricultural partners must be trained, connected and financially structured to develop a more and more sustainable cultivation.
About Ambev Brewery
Bringing people together to make a better world. This is what Ambev, a Brazilian company headquartered in São Paulo and represented in 18 countries, dreams of. In Brazil, we are over 32 thousand people who share the same passion for making beer and work together to guarantee celebration and fun moments.
Ambev is an innovative brewery and we have customers at the very center of our decisions and initiatives. Our portfolio includes beers, soft drinks, teas, isotonic drinks, energy drinks and juices with famous brands like Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Stella Artois, Wäls, Colorado, Guaraná Antarctica, Fusion, do bem and AMA, the mineral water that reverts 100% of its profits for projects that bring access to drinking water to families of the Brazilian semi-arid region.
In the last five years alone, we invested R$ 17.5 billion in the country and left a legacy that goes beyond these investments with our broad sustainability platform. This commitment includes clear goals, which are disclosed to the public, and translate into four pillars: smart consumption, water, zero residue and development. This work is made with a partner network, because we believe that building a new world becomes richer when we do it together.
About VW Caminhões e Ônibus
Manufacturer of the commercial vehicles Volkswagen and MAN, VW Caminhões e Ônibus is one of the biggest truck and bus makers in Latin America. The innovative VW Caminhões e Ônibus will produce the VW e-Delivery along with its partners in the Modular Consortium, at the plant in Resende, Brazil.
Since 1981, when it started it operations, the automaker’s focus has always been reaching the top of the market respecting and satisfying its customers’ needs. And that is exactly what it offers its clients: custom-made products and an excellent post-sales service.
Its production has already surpassed the milestone of 800 thousand vehicles, with over 100 thousand units exported to more than 30 countries. The company is also a reference in technological innovations. Since 2003, the automaker has been carrying out studies with renewable and alternative fuels, even before they became legal requirements.
VW Caminhões e Ônibus is a pioneer in using biodiesel and developing a truck with diesel-hydraulic hybrid system in Brazil. The company always seeks solutions to reduce environmental impact and help preserving the environment.
For over 35 years, the automaker has been living up to its commitment of developing vehicles that exceed customers’ demands – wherever they drive, be it Brazilian, Latin American or African roads.
