It will make its first trip today between Tomato Masters' cultivation site and Tomeco's sorting and packaging facility in Hoogstraten. On the morning of 12 November, Tomeco, Tomato Masters, and Coöperatie Hoogstraten presented their new all-electric Mercedes-Benz E-Actros. "This truck is the first electric truck in Belgium to be used between a horticultural company and a cooperative, and not by a transport company. For us, transport is not a core activity. It is simply about moving product. That makes this step special," say Tom Vlaeminck (Tomato Masters) and Franky Van Looveren (Tomeco).
© Jannick Flach | FreshPlaza.com
Lotte De Jongh (Tomeco), Tom Vlaeminck (Tomato Masters), Franky Van Looveren (Tomeco) and Leen Matthé (Coöperatie Hoogstraten)
"Sustainability plays an important role in all our activities," Tom explains. "Our new electric truck runs up to three times a day, including to Carrefour and other branches. The big advantage is that it can travel fully electric for up to 500 to 600 kilometres, depending on conditions, without recharging in between. This allows us to make two return trips to the auction without any issues. At our site, we have installed a fast charger so the truck can be charged immediately each time it returns. As a result, it departs every trip with a full battery, and the driver never has to worry about the remaining range. Even if there is a diversion or delay, it presents no problem at all."
All aspects have been carefully considered. "We have a battery storage system at our premises. When electricity prices are low or there is an energy surplus in Belgium, we charge those batteries. At night, when the truck is charging, we use that stored power. In addition, we will soon install solar panels so the truck can be fully charged with green electricity. The truck can transport up to 18 tonnes emission-free."
Electrification fleet
Does this mark the first step towards full fleet electrification? "Definitely. We already have electric passenger cars, and now we also have our first electric truck. The other two trucks will not be replaced for now, but future purchases will be electric anyway." Franky adds, "This project is not only important for Tomato Masters, but also serves as a test case for the entire Tomeco group. Several companies within our group are growers, and this is a valuable way to determine how electric transport can function in our sector."
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Leen Matthé notes, on behalf of Coöperatie Hoogstraten, that sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the sector. "For example, we recently joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a recognised international programme that helps companies reduce their carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Many of our clients are already part of this initiative, and we believe it is important to follow a path that delivers measurable results. Sustainability is also becoming more important from a market perspective. Consumers and retailers expect tomatoes to be produced and transported responsibly. So this project is another step in that direction."
LHVs
Tom notes that the next steps are already being considered. "We are also looking into the possibility of using fully electric LHVs. These can carry more cargo, reducing the number of trips and further lowering emissions per kilogram of product. Currently, the route between Hoogstraten and the motorway is not yet approved for LHVs; however, we are examining whether this can be arranged. Once that is possible, we will be able to transport as much with two trips as we currently do with three."
Exposed crop
For now, the new truck will be slightly less busy due to the winter period, but Tomeco will continue supplying products from exposed cultivation throughout the colder months. "Our exposed cultivation covers about 20 hectares of tomatoes," Franky says. "We want to produce and supply year-round, so we also want to maintain good volumes in winter. Demand at this time of year mainly comes from Belgium itself, but the Netherlands and the UK also remain important markets. Our San Marzano tomatoes, in particular, are very popular in the UK market during winter."
© Jannick Flach | FreshPlaza.com
It means that, after the energy crisis a few years ago, lighted production is back to normal. "Energy prices have naturally dropped somewhat since then, making local production more attractive again. Belgian retailers place great importance on reliability and quality. During the energy crisis, many tomatoes came from southern Europe, but that sometimes resulted in empty shelves or lower quality. That is why many chains are now once again choosing local production with lighting, even in winter. Thanks to modern LED technology, we can do this more energy-efficiently, which further demonstrates our commitment to sustainability."
For more information:
Tomeco
+32 3 284 16 84
[email protected]
www.feelgoodtomatoes.com
Coöperatie Hoogstraten 
+32 33 40 02 11
[email protected]
www.hoogstraten.eu
