Mosaic Announces Trial of World’s First Electric Log Trucks in Partnership with EcoWest Driven
Nanaimo, BC ̶ Mosaic Forest Management is announcing its partnership with local Vancouver Island service provider, EcoWest Driven, to introduce several Tesla semi-trucks into log hauling. There are currently no commercially available electric log truck solutions appropriate for the terrain on Vancouver Island.
The BC forest sector has a significant role to play in addressing climate change. The working forest captures carbon as it grows, and wood products keep that carbon locked-up for decades. New trees are planted and the renewable cycle repeats. However, forestry operations generate tailpipe emissions, including from log trucks. Electrifying the fleet is a particularly good approach in British Columbia where over 90% of power in the Province is generated from clean hydroelectric sources.
“We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 and electrifying our log hauling fleet is a significant step in that direction” said Jeff Zweig, President and CEO of Mosaic Forest Management. “BC is a global centre of excellence in forestry, and we are proud to work with our local partner, EcoWest Driven, on this important project”.
“With our in-depth experience and knowledge of the forestry industry on Vancouver Island, we are excited to partner with Mosaic to utilize Tesla’s innovative electric semis into log haulers,” said Timber Johnson, Director and Co-Founder of EcoWest Driven. “We have begun the process of creating charging infrastructure and a new electric vehicle maintenance facility in Parksville, BC to accommodate this new demand for emission-free heavy haulers,” added Jarvis Shaver, Director and Co-Founder of EcoWest Driven.
"Mosaic's commitment to carbon neutrality, and these innovative actions in support of that commitment, align with our CleanBC objectives to build a cleaner and better low carbon economy for British Columbians," said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
About Mosaic Forest Management Corp.
Mosaic Forest Management is the timberlands manager for TimberWest and Island Timberlands – two affiliated companies that have operated on Vancouver Island for over a century, delivering sustainable forest management within their private forest lands and Crown tenure areas. Mosaic employs several thousand people directly and indirectly striving to achieve the positive economic, social and sustainability outcomes from the working forest. For more information, visit mosaicforests.com.
About EcoWest Driven
EcoWest is a recently incorporated company formed specifically to introduce electric semi-trucks to the transportation industry. EcoWest’s goal is to be the catalyst to utilizing hauling fleets, in a variety of industries, from fossil-fueled trucks to electric trucks and in doing so provide a service to our clients that is both efficient and cost competitive. Converting to electric semi-trucks will also significantly reduce, or eliminate, the carbon footprint for the hauling component of the client’s businesses.
Tesla
For more information on the Tesla semi, please visit: https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/semi
For downloadable photography, please visit: https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/tesla-gallery
Media Inquiries
Mosaic Forest Management
Evelina Lamu
Manager, Communications
Media@MosaicForests.com