Date Posted

September 2, 2021

Press release: Bison Transport is pleased to announce they are currently engaged in operating a full battery electric class 8 tractor in their cross-border regional operation. Bison has partnered with Freightliner Corporation in running two full Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) exclusively between Delta, BC and Washington State.

“This is an important step towards zero emissions in the transportation sector and we are excited to be able to facilitate this project with our partner Freightliner,” says Mike Gomes, Vice President, Maintenance at Bison Transport.

“It is not as simple as a replacing a current tractor with a BEV, infrastructure and network operational considerations exist. We plan on testing the limits of the technology, understanding how to manage when there are disruptions, either operationally over-the-road or to the supply chain, and how we work around these opportunities. This test will help Bison Transport understand the operational requirements of the technology as we move towards more sustainable transportation solutions.”

Bison Transport understands that they have a large responsibility to their customers and society as a whole when it comes to delivering environmentally conscious transportation solutions. They have invested large amounts of time and energy to become an industry leader when it comes to reducing the amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) they emit into the atmosphere for every mile traveled. Bison is an active member of Natural Resource Canada’s FleetSmart program, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership. Both programs have goals and mandates that are closely aligned with Bison.

“This test pushes the boundaries of the current technology, helping us and our customers understand the capabilities of the technology and how we can integrate BEV vehicles into operations in the very near future,” continues Mike Gomes.

About Bison Transport

Bison, recently acquired by James Richardson & Sons, Limited (JRSL), is a Winnipeg-headquartered transportation company established in 1969 and has grown to become one of Canada’s largest trucking companies with over 3,700 employees and contractors operating a fleet of 2,100 tractors and 6,000 trailers throughout North America. Together with its affiliated companies, H.O. Wolding, Searcy Trucking and Britton Transport, Bison services a wide variety of multinational, national and local customers.

About James Richardson & Sons, Limited

Established in 1857, James Richardson & Sons, Limited is a private, family-owned and operated corporation involved in global agriculture and food processing, as well as energy exploration, transportation and marketing, financial services, insurance and real estate. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, JRSL has assets and operations strategically located across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

About Freightliner Corporation

Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 5–8 trucks and is a Daimler company, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Gomes, Vice President, Maintenance, Bison Transport

Email: mgomes@bisontransport.com