Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #21-029
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Contact: Scott Gastel/Brian Zumhagen (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT Announces Arrival of All-Electric Delivery Trucks to New York City
Manhattan Beer Distributors will operate five new Volvo VNR Electric trucks based in the South Bronx, making deliveries in the NY metro area; Trucks were purchased under a state agreement with Volkswagen as part of landmark diesel-lawsuit settlement
THE BRONX – The New York City Department of Transportation, Manhattan Beer Distributors and Volvo Trucks North America today unveiled a new fleet of five new battery-powered electric trucks. The purchase of the Volvo trucks, through Milea Truck Sales and Leasing, was made possible through funding from DOT’s NYC Clean Truck Program in partnership with New York State. These vehicles will be deployed from Manhattan Beer Distributors’ warehouse in the South Bronx, the site of today’s unveiling.
Under the Clean Trucks Program, begun in 2012, delivery companies apply to DOT for funding to replace, retrofit or scrap heavy-polluting diesel trucks. Generous incentives differ based on the size of truck (up to $185,000 to replace a diesel truck with a cleaner battery-powered one). Over the last decade, the program has awarded $17.8 million, replacing nearly 600 diesel trucks with cleaner and alternative fuel technologies.
“This summer, the subjects of infrastructure and climate change are on everyone’s minds, as we witness extreme weather events, with increasing frequency, all around the world," said NYC DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "This is the perfect time to focus on the importance of transitioning to electric-zero emission trucks. We are so pleased that in partnership with New York State, DOT’s NYC Clean Trucks Program was able to provide funds to support Manhattan Beer Distributors’ investment in Volvo VNR Electric trucks. In addition to great lager and ale, these new trucks will deliver cleaner air and quieter streets. In the months and years ahead, we will continue to work closely with industry to end our reliance on overweight, unsafe and polluting trucks.”
“Today’s announcement is proof positive of New York’s ongoing work to fulfill our state’s ambitious commitment to reducing emissions, particularly in the communities that have experienced the biggest pollution impacts,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “With New York City and other private and public partners, New York State is fostering the transition to zero-emissions trucks now and will continue being a national leader on actions to address climate change and helping improve the health and quality of life for the South Bronx and other Environmental Justice communities.”
"The future of electric vehicles is happening right here in New York City," said Ben Furnas, Director of the Mayor's Office of Climate and Sustainability. "Building a greener and cleaner city means tackling tailpipe emissions that worsen our air quality and contribute to the severe impact of climate change. Thanks to our colleagues at the NYC Department of Transportation and the Clean Trucks Program, Manhattan Beer's e-trucks are setting an example of how goods and services can move through the city while improving the health and safety of our residents. Cheers!”
“With the funding support of the landmark NYC Clean Trucks Program, Volvo Trucks is excited to deliver its first VNR Electric trucks to New York for our long-time customer Manhattan Beer Distributors,” said Peter Voorhoeve, President, Volvo Trucks North America. “We look forward to working with our local dealership, Milea Truck Sales & Leasing to deliver more all-electric trucks to the region’s freight and delivery fleets so that they can reduce emissions and noise as they navigate the streets of NYC.”
Our introduction of these all-electric trucks is an important step in the continued evolution of our fleet towards more sustainable fuel sources,” said Simon Bergson, Founder, President & CEO of Manhattan Beer Distributors. “With our partners at the DOT’s Clean Trucks Program, Milea, and Volvo, we have long been focused on bringing cleaner air to our community through CNG vehicles, and we are now grateful for their renewed partnership in the electrification of our heavy-duty equipment.”
The zero-tailpipe emission trucks from Volvo Trucks North America will service Manhattan Beer Distributors delivery routes to retail businesses throughout metropolitan New York City, Long Island, and surrounding counties. The VNR Electric reduces emissions for decarbonized transportation and dramatically reduces CO2 emissions.
DOT’s Clean Trucks Program directs funding to recipients via the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) using Volkswagen Diesel settlement funds under the Clean Transportation NY program. The City’s program is designed to reduce emissions in major transportation corridors and industrial business zones, such as Hunts Point, by funding new, cleaner trucks, including zero-emission trucks. These transportation corridors and industrial business zones are located near disadvantaged communities that were subjected to disproportionate amounts of diesel exhaust. Clean Transportation NY is stimulating the transition to electric equipment, trucks, and buses by replacing older, diesel-powered vehicles with cleaner, lower-emitting new vehicles. The DEC/DOT agreement provides approximately $9 million in Volkswagen funds for incentives with the goal that at least $2.5 million will be devoted towards Class 4-8 zero-emission trucks. New York City’s Clean Trucks Program awarded Manhattan Beer $925,000 for the five Class 8 electric trucks.
Manhattan Beer Distributors is one of the largest beverage distributors in the U.S. and the largest beer purveyor in the New York City area, serving nearly 25,000 customers from five operational sites located in and around metropolitan New York.
“New York City delivers millions of packages on trucks and other large vehicles every single day. Any effort to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels is not only worth the cost, but will likely safe the public and private sector millions of dollars down the line. We must continue expanding and supporting programs like the City’s Clean Trucks Program that seek to reduce carbon emissions generated by trucks,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Transportation Committee. “Programs like the City’s Clean Trucks initiative will help us reduce our greenhouse emissions and transition into more environmentally friendly trucks. I will continue to work alongside DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman, advocates, and community members to ensure we continue minimizing our carbon footprint.”
“The South Bronx is a distribution crossroads for New York City, and its disproportionate amount of toxic air contaminants have created a legacy of health disparity that we can no longer afford to ignore,” said Assembly Member Amanda Septimo. “Reducing harmful emissions from heavy-polluting diesel trucks is a necessary step to protect our communities from the negative effects of emissions pollution. Today, I am proud to celebrate the partnership between DOT’s NYC Clean Truck Program and New York State which made the purchase of these five battery-powered, electric Volvo trucks possible for Manhattan Beer Distributors, and I look forward to continuing the fight for clean air in the South Bronx.”
“The push to make New York City a more equitable city includes proactive measures to address the environmental justice issues facing communities like mine,' stated Council Member Rafael Salamanca. 'The South Bronx has long dealt with the overabundance of heavy-polluting trucks utilizing our local streets, plaguing our youth with some of the highest asthma rates throughout the country in the process. But change is occurring. Thanks to DOT‘s NYC Clean Truck Program, we are celebrating the removal of an additional five industrial vehicles from our streets. I thank Manhattan Beer Distributors for their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, and look forward to continue working with NYC DOT and NYS DEC to connect business owners with clean truck incentive programs.”
“We’re excited to see that Manhattan Beer Distributors is investing in five new electric trucks, continuing their commitment to creating a low-emission truck fleet,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “This addition to their fleet will dramatically reduce CO2 emissions and help to clean New York City’s air, particularly in a community overburdened by pollution. To significantly reduce transportation pollution and combat climate change, New York needs to speed up our transition to electric vehicles and clean fuels. New York can accomplish this by passing a clean fuel standard, which will incentivize more businesses and municipal fleets to transition away from dirty fossil fuels. New York League of Conservation Voters thanks Manhattan Beer, Volvo, and DOT Commissioner Gutman for leading the charge in our clean transportation future.”
- 30 -