Scottish wholesalers and Volvo run an electric vehicle trial

The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) and Volvo Trucks have launched a trial to accelerate the use of electric vehicles in Scotland’s wholesale industry.

Ylva Haglund of the SWA with Garry Whitelock of Volvo Trucks and, at the wheel, Keith Geddes of JW Filshill.

Glasgow-based wholesaler JW Filshill and other SWA members are participating in the pilot which feature Volvo’s electric 19t curtainsider truck with rear tail lift.

Filshill is testing the truck for a fortnight to explore the feasibility of using it in its business in the future.

Ylva Haglund, SWA head of sustainability and engagement, commented: “We are committed to supporting our members on their journey to a more environmentally sustainable future as we accelerate the transition to net zero and progress towards a circular economy.

“Our aim is to inspire and facilitate action and increase awareness of the ways in which our members can move towards fleet decarbonisation, and a further seven SWA members have already signed up to participate in the trial.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Volvo, one of the world’s largest and best-known truck brands, whose knowledge and expertise in electric trucks will be hugely beneficial to SWA members and the wider food and drink sector as we work together to find the best solutions.”

Keith Geddes, chief financial & operating officer at JW Filshill, said that the wholesaler was keen to explore all possibilities as it ramps up its commitment to sustainability and continues its drive to produce cleaner emissions.

“We’re very pleased to be working with the SWA and Volvo in this vehicle trial and hope it encourages other wholesalers to do the same,” said Geddes. “The industry cannot make sweeping changes overnight and there are cost implications to consider but we all have a duty to engage and look to the future – this is exactly the type of activity that can help us on our journey.”

Last year, the SWA launched its Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Sector project as part of ambitious plans to decarbonise the wholesale food supply chain and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, or earlier.