A major step forward in urban freight electrification is underway in New York City, as Volvo Trucks North America prepares to deliver three battery-electric trucks to City Harvest in 2026 as part of the Bronx Is Breathing initiative.
The project brings zero-tailpipe-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks into daily food rescue operations, helping reduce diesel pollution and noise in some of the most heavily trafficked freight neighborhoods in the South Bronx while supporting one of the city’s largest hunger-relief organizations.
Electric trucks added to essential food rescue work
City Harvest will use the Volvo VNR Electric trucks to collect excess food from grocers, farms, manufacturers, and restaurants and deliver it to food pantries, soup kitchens, and Mobile Markets throughout all five boroughs of New York City.
Volvo Trucks North America said the deployment aligns electric vehicle technology with essential, high-frequency urban delivery routes where environmental and community impacts are most visible.
“City Harvest rescues and delivers millions of pounds of food to New Yorkers every year. We are proud that these new electric trucks will support that crucial mission with cleaner, quieter operations,” said Keith Brandis, head of policy & regulatory affairs, North America, Volvo Group’s trucks technology & industrial division. “The Bronx is Breathing initiative shows how targeted infrastructure investment and community partnerships can accelerate the adoption of electric trucks in dense urban freight environments.”
Funding and infrastructure supporting the rollout
The Bronx Is Breathing initiative is backed by a $10 million award from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program. The funding is intended to reduce emissions and noise in South Bronx neighborhoods that border one of the busiest freight corridors in the country.
Each Volvo VNR Electric truck will be equipped with battery-electric transport refrigeration units, allowing food pickups and deliveries to operate with zero tailpipe emissions from both the truck and the refrigeration system.
Initially, City Harvest will charge the vehicles at a new charging installation at the Fulton Fish Market Cooperative within the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. Over time, charging operations will transition to a large public freight-focused charging hub being developed by MN8 Energy at Hunts Point.
When operational in 2029, that facility will include 32 DC fast chargers, with stalls designed for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks, along with 10 Level-2 chargers.
Why the Volvo VNR Electric fits urban freight routes
Volvo said the VNR Electric is designed specifically for city operations where trucks regularly operate near residential areas, schools, and businesses.
“The Volvo VNR Electric truck is purpose-built for urban routes where trucks operate near homes, schools, and businesses,” Volvo said. “With zero-tailpipe emissions, the VNR Electric helps improve local air quality in densely populated communities long impacted by transportation-related pollution. Its quieter operation also reduces noise during early-morning or late-night deliveries, creating a more comfortable environment for drivers and city residents.”
For drivers, quieter operation and reduced vibration can also improve comfort during stop-and-go urban work.
Community and environmental impact in Hunts Point
The Hunts Point peninsula is home to the nation’s largest wholesale food hub and sees more than 15,000 truck trips each workday. Communities surrounding the area experience some of the highest asthma hospitalization rates in the country, largely linked to diesel traffic.
Bronx Is Breathing combines electric truck deployment with charging infrastructure development to demonstrate a scalable model for reducing freight-related emissions in dense urban areas.
“NYSERDA’s support of the Bronx is Breathing project will help City Harvest transition from diesel to zero-emission delivery trucks, reducing noise and improving air quality for South Bronx residents,” said David Sandbank, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority senior vice president of integrated energy solutions. “These investments in electric trucks and charging infrastructure support cleaner freight operations in Hunts Point and strengthen the local economy.”
City Harvest’s role and scale of operations
City Harvest operates a large fleet supporting daily food rescue across New York City. The organization rescues and delivers more than 86 million pounds of food each year, averaging approximately 250,000 pounds per day.
The new electric trucks are part of a broader eight-vehicle Volvo Group deployment funded through the project, supporting food distribution, waste operations, and local deliveries within Hunts Point.
“City Harvest’s food rescue model will prevent more than 25 million kilograms of carbon emissions this year, all while providing food to our neighbors in need,” said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. “We operate in every corner of New York City, often in communities that experience the highest levels of truck traffic. Electric trucks will help us reduce our environmental footprint while we continue to provide millions of pounds of food to New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity.”
Dealer support for electric truck uptime
All Volvo VNR Electric trucks deployed through the Bronx Is Breathing project will be supported by Milea Truck Sales and Leasing. The Bronx-based dealership was the first on the East Coast to achieve Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealership status.
Milea Truck Sales and Leasing has invested in dedicated EV service bays, charging infrastructure, and parts inventory, with sales and service teams completing specialized training to support fleets transitioning to battery-electric trucks.
A model for future urban freight projects
The Bronx Is Breathing initiative is supported by the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program, administered by NYSERDA in partnership with the New York State Department of Public Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Industry stakeholders say the project highlights how electric trucks, charging infrastructure, and community partnerships can work together to reduce emissions while supporting essential freight operations. For drivers and fleets operating in urban corridors nationwide, the initiative offers a real-world example of how zero-emission trucks can be integrated into demanding daily routes without sacrificing mission-critical service.
Source: The Trucker
