Danfoss Editron system for Brazilian beer trucks

Brewer Ambev plans to deploy 1000 electric trucks with Danfoss Editron powertrains in Brazil this year.

Brazilian brewing company Ambev S.A., a subsidiary of global brewing giant InBev, announced it will buy 1000 fully electric commercial trucks built by Fábrica Nacional de Mobilidades (FNM) this year. The 18-ton trucks utilize an integrated electric powertrain supplied by Danfoss Editron.

The purchase is part of the wide-ranging sustainability plans by Ambev and its parent company that includes their respective supply chains and delivery fleets. Ambev has stated that it wants at least half of its 7000-strong fleet, which distribute beer and other beverages across South America’s largest economy, to operate on clean energy by 2023.

“It makes us all very proud to see this project with FNM get off the ground, which is the result of a number of collaborations and partnerships, including the supplier agreements with Danfoss Editron and Octillion Power Systems,” said Rodrigo Figueiredo, Ambev’s vice president of Sustainability and Procurement. “The FNM 833 fully-electric truck features state-of-the-art technology and we fully recommend it to other companies looking to electrify their fleets.”

In late 2020, FNM selected Danfoss Editron’s drivetrain systems to power the FNM 833. The drivetrains incorporate a 250 kW electric motor with an Eaton multispeed transmission, an Octillion Power Systems 650 V battery and Avionics digital controller and inverter to provide intelligent management of all the vehicle’s operations.

“In order to deliver this service, we prepared a preliminary study to define the needs of Ambev, always allying performance for better productivity with reduced costs,” said Ricardo Machado, CEO of Obvio + FNM. “The FNM trucks are 100% connected to Ambev’s IT systems, which deliver full control for the company’s monitoring area and real-time information on traffic and routes. The vehicles are also equipped with new technologies that are focused on safety, including anti-collision systems with artificial intelligence and integrated cameras.”

Pre-series vehicles have already begun operation making deliveries in Rio of Janeiro.

“It’s exciting to see FNM secure a major customer so quickly for its purpose-built commercial electric truck, the FNM 833,” said Adrian Schaffer, director of On-Highway Global Sales at Danfoss Editron. “We are proud to bring our industry-leading electric drivetrain to this uniquely Brazilian vehicle and are looking forward to seeing 1000 models enter operation for Ambev.”