Testa Produce has added two new all-electric trucks to its delivery fleet, custom-made with a chassis from Smith Electric Vehicles and an insulated body from Kidron. In addition to distributing fresh produce items, the company delivers frozen, canned, and specialty foods to fine restaurants, hotels, and institutions throughout Illinois and much of Wisconsin. Testa plans to use the new trucks for deliveries to customers in its downtown Chicago market.

Testa’s new zero-emission trucks can travel up to 100 miles without recharging. Adding electric delivery vehicles is in line with the company's commitment to continually raise the bar on sustainability. Testa is the first perishable food distributor in the nation to earn LEED platinum, the highest certification available from the U.S. Green Building Council, for its award-winning state-of-the-art "green" distribution center, according to the company.

The facility incorporates energy-saving solar, wind and water technologies. Testa's existing 60-plus delivery trucks run on bio-diesel fuel and all company cars are hybrids. In the coming months, Testa will also add 10 trucks to its fleet that operate on compressed natural gas.

"The new electric trucks will help us diversify our fleet, give us added flexibility, and reduce our carbon footprint even more," said Stephanie Testa , distribution manager. "We're excited to get them on the road."

Peter Testa, president, added that finding innovative eco-friendly solutions in every aspect of the business is an ongoing company goal. "Distribution is an energy- and resource-intensive business, but we've made it our mission to do things differently and to set a new standard for our industry. Electric vehicle technology has advanced to the point where it's now possible for us to begin making zero-emission deliveries to our Chicago customers. It's a logical next step for us."