Delivery of Volvo VNR EV Trucks to City Harvest Is Major Step in ‘Bronx Is Breathing’ Initiative

Volvo Trucks North America announced that three zero-tailpipe-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be delivered to City Harvest in 2026 as part of the Bronx Is Breathing initiative. City Harvest is New York City’s largest food rescue organization, and the project is supported by a $10 million award from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program. The initiative aims to reduce noise and harmful emissions in South Bronx communities located near one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors. The company announced the news on January 27, 2026.

City Harvest will use the all-electric trucks to collect surplus food from grocers, farms, manufacturers, and restaurants and deliver it to food pantries, soup kitchens, Mobile Markets, and other community programs across all five boroughs. The deployment represents a major step toward cleaner, quieter urban freight operations while advancing food equity across New York City.

“City Harvest rescues and delivers millions of pounds of food to New Yorkers every year, and we are proud that these new electric trucks will support that mission with cleaner, quieter operations,” said Keith Brandis, Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, North America, Volvo Group Trucks Technology & Industrial Division. “The Bronx Is Breathing initiative demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investment and strong community partnerships can accelerate the adoption of electric trucks in dense urban environments.”

Each Volvo VNR Electric truck will be equipped with battery-electric transport refrigeration units, enabling fully zero-tailpipe-emission food rescue and delivery operations. Initially, City Harvest will charge the vehicles at a newly deployed charging installation at the Fulton Fish Market Cooperative within the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. In the coming years, charging will transition to a freight-focused public charging hub being developed by MN8 Energy at Hunts Point. When operational in 2029, the site will feature 32 DC fast chargers—including stalls for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks—along with 10 Level 2 chargers.

Designed for Urban Operations

The Volvo VNR Electric is purpose-built for urban and regional routes where trucks operate near homes, schools, and businesses. With zero tailpipe emissions, the VNR Electric helps improve air quality in communities historically impacted by transportation-related pollution. Its quiet operation also reduces noise during early-morning and late-night deliveries, benefiting both drivers and residents.

“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, Senior Vice President of Integrated Energy Solutions at NYSERDA. “Investments in electric trucks and charging infrastructure strengthen cleaner freight operations in Hunts Point and support the local economy.”

Cleaner Air and Community Impact

The Bronx Is Breathing project showcases scalable commercial-vehicle electrification strategies in the Hunts Point peninsula, home to the nation’s largest wholesale food hub and more than 15,000 truck trips each weekday. Combined electric truck deployment and public heavy-duty charging infrastructure will reduce diesel emissions in South Bronx neighborhoods that experience some of the highest asthma hospitalization rates in the country, while creating a replicable model for other underserved freight corridors.

City Harvest’s vehicles are part of a broader eight-vehicle Volvo Group deployment funded through the initiative, supporting food distribution, waste services, and local deliveries in Hunts Point. City Harvest rescues and delivers more than 86 million pounds of food annually—approximately 250,000 pounds per day—preventing food waste while feeding New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity.

“City Harvest’s food rescue model will prevent more than 25 million kilograms of carbon emissions this year while providing food to our neighbors in need,” said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. “Electric trucks will help us reduce our environmental footprint as we continue serving communities that experience the highest levels of truck traffic.”

All Volvo VNR Electric trucks deployed through the project will be supported by Milea Truck Sales and Leasing, the first East Coast dealership to achieve Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealership status. Headquartered in the Bronx, the family-owned dealership has invested in EV service bays, charging infrastructure, and specialized training to support fleets transitioning to battery-electric trucks and ensure maximum uptime.

The Bronx Is Breathing project is funded by the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program, administered by NYSERDA in partnership with the New York State Department of Public Service and the Department of Environmental Conservation.