Brazilian brewing giant Ambev closes deal with startup FNM and Agrale for 1,000 electric vehicles

The deal is part of the company's plans to have half of its fleet running with clean energy by 2023

Electric truck FNM/Agrale being tested by Ambev. Photo: Reuters/Courtesy

21.Jan.2021 20:02 BRT
UPDATED 20:08 BRT

With about 5,300 trucks, Ambev has one of the largest dedicated fleets in the country;
With the conversion of this structure that the company plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% in its entire chain by 2025.

Brazilian brewing company Ambev closed a partnership with the startup FNM (Fábrica Nacional de Mobilidades, also known as FêNêMê, that borrowed the name of a former state-owned automotive factory) and with the national automaker Agrale for 1,000 electric vehicles, including trucks and vans. The deal is part of the company’s plans to have half of its fleet running with clean energy by 2023.

The value of the investment was not revealed, with Ambev saying only that the project is “economically viable due to the lower energy and maintenance costs.”

With about 5,300 trucks, Ambev has one of the largest dedicated fleets in the country. And it is with the conversion of this structure that the company plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% in its entire chain by 2025.

The partnership vehicles go to carriers that provide distribution services to the brewery. According to Ambev, compared to the 5,300 trucks in the current fleet, each electric truck from FNM/Agrale will reduce CO2 emissions by 126,000 kilos per year. The pilot vehicle will make beverage delivery routes in Rio de Janeiro, with a range of up to 100 kilometers per day.

FNM participated in an Ambev acceleration program in 2019. The trucks will have an anti-collision system with artificial intelligence and integrated cameras through FNM. Refueling will be done at Ambev distribution centers at recharge points, which use solar energy.

Last week, Reuters also reported that MercadoLibre, the largest e-commerce company in Latin America, will start offering Brazilian couriers financing for the purchase of electric vehicles.

Translated by LABS