Frito-Lay Gets a Charge Out of Electric Trucks
Frito-Lay is on a roll with the largest fleet of all-electric delivery trucks in North America. New York City is the first U.S. city to receive Frito snacks from the trucks, as five new haulers begin their routes this month.
PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America Division has its wheels rolling with what could be the largest fleet of commercial all-electric delivery trucks in North America. The Plano, Texas-based company will deploy 21 electric trucks in total this year with another 155 trucks in 2011. Designed by Smith Electric Vehicles, the trucks generate zero tailpipe emissions and operate for up to 100 miles on a single charge.
"Frito-Lay's truck program is a significant step forward in the advancement of electric vehicles," says Bryan Hansel, chief executive officer of Smith Electric Vehicles, Kansas City, Mo. "Businesses will improve their environmental impact and see cost savings with the reduction of fossil fuels. More importantly, the insights gained operating in urban environments will be invaluable in extending electric vehicle technology to consumer markets in the future."
The program expands a long-running commitment to environmental sustainability. Electric trucks can lower fuel consumption, noise pollution and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The initial rollout in New York was funded through a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
"Frito-Lay has implemented bold goals for reducing our use of key resources such as fuel to ultimately help us reduce our overall environmental impact," says Mike O'Connell, director of fleet capability for Frito-Lay North America. "There are real economic and environmental benefits to electric trucks. Once the planned 176 electric trucks are deployed, we 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 has set a goal of becoming the most fuel efficient fleet in the country, and electric vehicles are a way for the company to leverage the latest advances in transportation technology as a significant way to reduce the impact of its fleet.
PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America Division has its wheels rolling with what could be the largest fleet of commercial all-electric delivery trucks in North America. The Plano, Texas-based company will deploy 21 electric trucks in total this year with another 155 trucks in 2011. Designed by Smith Electric Vehicles, the trucks generate zero tailpipe emissions and operate for up to 100 miles on a single charge.
"Frito-Lay's truck program is a significant step forward in the advancement of electric vehicles," says Bryan Hansel, chief executive officer of Smith Electric Vehicles, Kansas City, Mo. "Businesses will improve their environmental impact and see cost savings with the reduction of fossil fuels. More importantly, the insights gained operating in urban environments will be invaluable in extending electric vehicle technology to consumer markets in the future."
The program expands a long-running commitment to environmental sustainability. Electric trucks can lower fuel consumption, noise pollution and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The initial rollout in New York was funded through a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
"Frito-Lay has implemented bold goals for reducing our use of key resources such as fuel to ultimately help us reduce our overall environmental impact," says Mike O'Connell, director of fleet capability for Frito-Lay North America. "There are real economic and environmental benefits to electric trucks. Once the planned 176 electric trucks are deployed, we 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 has set a goal of becoming the most fuel efficient fleet in the country, and electric vehicles are a way for the company to leverage the latest advances in transportation technology as a significant way to reduce the impact of its fleet.
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