Meet Evie: Palmerston North primary school student names Foodstuffs’ electric truck
A name dreamed up by a Year 2 student at Russell Street School will now be travelling around Palmerston North and beyond, after “Evie” was chosen as the name for Foodstuffs North Island’s first electric truck.
Madison came up with the winning name as part of a competition, with Russell Street School giving students the chance to put their own stamp on a truck they see out and about in their community.
Other names to make the shortlist included Buzzy Bee, Lightning and Bolt.
The winning name was unveiled at the school on Wednesday, with Madison joined by fellow students, local PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square grocers, Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith and Palmerston North MP Tangi Utikere.
Evie has now been sign written onto the truck and a personalised ‘GOEVIE’ plate has been ordered.
Foodstuffs North Island General Manager Supply Chain, Yang Zhang, says the competition was a fun way to get local kids involved in something new for the co-op.
“Our trucks are out on the road every day delivering food to stores and communities, so we thought it would be great to get the kids involved and give our first electric truck a bit of personality.
“There were some brilliant ideas, but Evie was a pretty fitting name for an EV. The best part is knowing Madison and the other students will be able to spot Evie out on the road and know they played a part in it.”
There’s a serious side to Evie’s work too. Operating from Foodstuffs North Island’s Mihaere Drive Distribution Centre in Palmerston North, the truck carries chilled and frozen groceries to stores across the lower North Island.
In its first six months on the road, Evie travelled nearly 45,000 kilometres and avoided more than 81,000kg of CO₂ emissions, roughly equivalent to taking 35 petrol cars off the road for a year.
Yang says Evie is helping Foodstuffs understand what electric heavy freight can look like as the co-op works towards reducing its emissions by 42% by 2030.
“Moving heavy vehicles away from diesel is one of the tougher parts of reducing transport emissions, so it’s great to see Evie out there doing the job every day.
“And now it’s got a name. Hopefully Evie becomes a familiar sight around Palmerston North and the lower North Island.”
Russell Street School Principal, Nick Rate says the competition gave students a chance to get involved with something happening in their own backyard.
“The kids have really enjoyed being part of this, they've brought into the competition and have been keen and curious about who has won the naming rights."
“It’s pretty special for Madison to know the name she came up with will now be driving around on the truck.”
Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith says the competition was a great way to bring local children into the story.
“We really value having Foodstuffs here in Palmerston North, and it means we get to do cool things like this with our local community."
“I’m sure everyone will get a kick out of seeing Evie out on the road around Palmerston North. I know we’ll all be looking out for her.”
Palmerston North MP Tangi Utikere says the competition is a nice example of the school and local co-operative working together.
“This is a really nice example of a local school and a local co-operative doing something together that the kids will remember. Congratulations to Madison on coming up with the winning name.”
As a thank you for getting behind the competition, Foodstuffs North Island presented the school with $500 in PAK’nSAVE gift cards, along with a scale model of Evie as a keepsake. Madison received a $50 PAK’nSAVE gift card for coming up with the winning name, with another $50 gift card for her teacher.
And for the students of Russell Street School, there’s one more thing to look forward to, they’ll all be keeping their eyes peeled for sightings of Evie out on the road.
