McDonald’s Canada makes progress towards global net-zero pledge by testing a Renewable Natural Gas-fueled tractor as part of its supply chain distribution fleet

Through its supply chain distribution partner, Martin Brower of Canada Co., McDonald’s Canada today announced it is testing a new Kenworth tractor fueled by renewable natural gas (RNG)* in British Columbia.  The first tractor is in operation, with an additional six scheduled to arrive later this year. Martin Brower will be leasing the tractors from Paccar Inc., and FortisBC will supply Martin Brower with the RNG. All seven tractors will be fueled with 100 per cent RNG to propel the vehicles; the refrigeration system used in the vehicles will continue to be operated by diesel. The tractors will be tested to assess the feasibility of using them to deliver to restaurants in Canada where possible, helping the company reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“At McDonald’s Canada, we know making small changes to our supply chain can result in a big impact, which is why we’re working with our long-time distribution partner Martin Brower to help us use our scale for good,” said Rob Dick, Supply Chain Officer at McDonald’s Canada. “Globally, we’ve pledged to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 – a pledge that we are continuing to make progress towards here in Canada by investing in real and tangible changes, like testing seven new Kenworth tractors powered by RNG from FortisBC.”

Alongside the Kenworth tractors, McDonald’s Canada is trialing the new Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 tractor through Martin Brower for distribution to restaurants in the Montreal area to test the use of lower-emission vehicles in its supply chain fleet.

About McDonald’s Canada

In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald’s restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving more than one million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast to coast to coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald’s 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald’s Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca.


*Renewable Natural Gas (as defined by FortisBC) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create Renewable Natural Gas (also called biomethane).