Fleet & Logistics

Autonomous trucks aren’t a future concept: Canadian tech leader Gatik is already moving products for the biggest names in retail in both Canada and the US. In this session, Gatik unpacks the best use cases for their driverless vehicles and the fuel and cost savings they are delivering for regional freight. They also point to the road ahead, when the convergence of autonomy and electrification will be a game changer for both safety and sustainability.

Many fleets are still treating their electric vehicles with kid gloves – assigning them to the easiest routes, keeping state-of-charge high and putting vehicles in low-demand roles. The result: vehicles that appear costly on paper simply because they’re being used too conservatively. Using real-world data, Geotab will show how underutilization skews total cost of ownership (TCO) and masks the true capability of electric fleets. The session will highlight top-performing fleets and the best practices that optimize return on investment (ROI) and make EVs work hard for their money.

EV maintenance isn’t “less”– it’s different. Warranty or not, this session walks through the key inspections EV fleets should build into their schedules, along with an overview of the new 3-to-5 year maintenance cycle. With insights from leading technicians, attendees will learn how smart preventive strategies on key components, from AC compressors to suspension systems, cut downtime, avoid roadside failures and keep vehicles out of queues for parts that can take weeks to arrive.

With the typical Canadian household receiving over 125 packages a year, last-mile delivery is now both a decarbonization challenge and a sector ready for reinvention. This session shares practical lessons from a logistics start-up running a fully electric, 20-plus-vehicle fleet in Kamloops, BC. Learn how to structure test drives that reveal a vehicle’s true operational fit and what really matters when comparing OEMs. Understand how to coach drivers to maximize EV range and how driving styles make all the difference. You’ll also hear how to properly spec charging infrastructure — from transformers and panels to chargers and software — based on real duty cycles rather than assumptions. Expect clear, candid takeaways on what works, what doesn’t and the keys to operating a best-in-class zero-emissions company.

The best place to begin fleet electrification isn’t on the highway – it’s on the distribution or fulfillment centre yard. Lazer Logistics has been operating a fleet of more than 150 electric terminal tractors at more than 75 sites across North America (including multiple sites in Ontario) for large consumer packaged goods manufacturers and major retailers. Their data, based on nine years of operating electric yard trucks, shows they not only pay for themselves within a few years on the job, but also outperform diesel on safety, reliability and driver satisfaction. From cold-weather performance to lower operating costs, Lazer’s experience proves that electrifying the yard delivers measurable wins — and a positive business case for sustainable operations.

Building charging infrastructure for one fleet is costly and time-consuming. But what if multiple fleets could share? By co-locating and coordinating charging assets, operators can cut costs and increase utilization of their often “sleeping” infrastructure – and the market as a whole can move faster towards electrification. This session dives into how shared fleet charging models are being structured today, from reserved access and rate agreements for guest fleets, to revenue and carbon credit generation for charging site hosts.