McDonald’s Australia has partnered with long-term supply chain partner, Martin Brower Australia, to launch its first electric delivery truck.
The truck will transport up to 4600kg of McDonald’s products per delivery from its Wetherill Park distribution centre to restaurants across Sydney. With zero tailpipe emissions, the truck is said to emit “no harmful pollutants during operation, improving air quality, reducing fuel consumption and reducing noise in local neighbourhoods”.
This is the first phase of electric truck trials for McDonald’s and Martin Brower, who will review the efficiency and impact of the truck to inform vehicle purchasing decisions from 2025 and beyond.
“McDonald’s is committed to working with its suppliers like Martin Brower, to find innovative ways to reduce emissions across its supply chain,” says McDonald’s Australia Senior Director of Supply Chain Tom Mahony.
“Martin Brower plays a critical role in delivering over six million kilograms of Macca’s items, including Aussie produce and ingredients, to over 1000 restaurants across the country per week.
“Adding an electric truck to our fleet of restaurant delivery vehicles will allow us to gain meaningful insights and experience in operating electric vehicles and understand the role they could play in the future.
“This is the first step towards reducing our transport emissions, in partnership with Martin Brower, and continuing to find ways to minimise our environmental impact across our supply chain.”
Martin Brower operates a fleet of approximately 200 vehicles that cover over 150,000km per week to deliver products and stock to McDonald’s restaurants across the country.
Martin Brower’s newest vehicle, the Volvo FL refrigerated truck, has up to 230km of range, tailored to the demands of urban Sydney restaurant deliveries. This is said to be the first Volvo refrigerated electric truck to operate in NSW and features a 265kWh energy capacity across four batteries, with its charging station located at the Martin Bower warehouse in Wetherill Park.
McDonald’s says it’s committed to reducing emissions by 50% across its restaurants, offices and supplier facilities, including logistics in partnership with Martin Brower, by 2030, as well as achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
