PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division announces eight new electric trucks will be rolling out in the Boston area. These electric delivery trucks join the largest fleet of commercial all-electric trucks in North America. By the end of this year, a total of 18 cities and surrounding areas across the U.S. will receive some of their favorite snacks in fully-electric delivery trucks.
Electric trucks reduce fuel consumption, noise pollution and CO2 emissions, compared to traditional delivery trucks. In total, Frito-Lay is deploying 176 electric trucks this year in the U.S. and Canada, making Frito-Lay the largest commercial fleet of all-electric trucks in North America.
"The electric vehicle program builds on a long-standing commitment by Frito-Lay North America and its parent company PepsiCo to environmental sustainability," said Mike O'Connell, senior director of fleet for Frito-Lay North America. "With the seventh largest privately owned fleet in the U.S., we have set a goal of becoming the most fuel efficient fleet in the country, and these vehicles give us an opportunity to use the latest advances in transportation technology as a significant way to reduce our environmental impact."
The trucks, designed by Smith Electric Vehicles, generate zero tailpipe emissions and operate for up to 100 miles on a single charge. Frito-Lay's fleet program aligns with the Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition, which works with vehicle fleets, fuel providers, community leaders and other stakeholders to reduce petroleum use in transportation. Once all the 176 electric trucks are fully deployed, Frito-Lay will eliminate the need for 500,000 gallons of fuel annually. Each truck emits 75% less greenhouse gases than a conventional diesel truck.
"Frito-Lay's investment in cleaner, more sustainable transportation serves as an excellent example of a major US corporation, PepsiCo, making a significant public commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gases and reduced energy consumption," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Undersecretary Barbara Kates-Garnick. "The Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition applauds Frito Lay's leadership in this area."
Smith Electric, the truck manufacturer, is a leader in the development of commercial electric trucks designed to operate at peak effectiveness in urban environments. Smith Electric produces the Newton, which is the only medium duty (class 4 - 7) all-electric commercial truck on the market.
The Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition is part of a nationwide program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that focuses on promoting the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AVFs), as well as supporting the development of infrastructure necessary to make AVFs a viable transportation option.