The Feldschlösschen brewery was delighted to receive its first 26-tonne electric truck in Rheinfelden on 24 November 2020, and a further 19 will follow over the coming weeks and months until spring 2021. These new arrivals are the first electric trucks to be manufactured in series production by Renault Trucks worldwide. The fully electric vehicles will initially be used at Feldschlösschen for test drives and driver trainings. As early as the first quarter of 2021, customers in the fields of catering, retail and the beverage trade will be supplied 100% CO₂-free from 12 logistics centres.

“We are proud to see our pioneering work with electric trucks, which began several years ago now, finally paying off. We are the first company in Switzerland and even Europe to use these environmentally friendly trucks for beverage transport. Our ambition is to take on a leading role in both the development of beers and beverages and in beverage logistics and climate protection,” said Thomas Amstutz, CEO of Feldschlösschen.

Climate change is a global problem, and one that needs global solutions. The Carlsberg Group and Feldschlösschen are systematically pursuing the objectives of their ‘Together Towards ZERO’ sustainability programme, aiming to reach a CO₂-neutral distribution in Switzerland.

Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks, was equally delighted to see the first 26-tonne electric truck handed over to Feldschlösschen in Rheinfelden:

“I'm convinced that electric mobility is the solution for improving the quality of the environment both for ourselves and for future generations. I'm delighted that Renault Trucks is supporting Carlsberg and Feldschlösschen, a pioneering group when it comes to investing in electric technology. Transport is undergoing major changes. Our industry is set to change more over the next ten years than it changed in the past century and through this partnership, Carlsberg and Renault Trucks are showing the way forward.”

Sustainable beverage logistics

The whole beer and beverage logistics process at Feldschlösschen is based on a two-stage distribution system: wherever possible, goods are transferred from the production location to the logistics centre by rail. This approach accounts for over 60% of all the goods distributed by Feldschlösschen. Since spring 2020, Feldschlösschen has connected three new centres to the rail network and is now able to supply 11 of its 15 logistics centres by rail. Onward distribution to the 25,000 customers throughout Switzerland is completed by road in the most environmentally friendly way possible. The entire truck fleet consists of 120 vehicles, which will be gradually replaced by electric vehicles over the coming years.