(August 10, 2012) PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division announced on Aug. 9 the growth of Frito-Lay's California electric truck fleet. Once all of the vehicles are deployed by the end of 2012, Frito-Lay California will be home to 105 all-electric delivery trucks, the largest deployment in any state.

Electric trucks reduce fuel consumption, noise pollution and CO2 emissions, compared to traditional delivery trucks. By the end of this year, Frito-Lay will have more than 275 electric trucks deployed in the U.S., making Frito-Lay the largest commercial fleet of all-electric trucks in the country.

In May, Frito-Lay reached a milestone of one million all-electric miles driven.

The initial rollout of all-electric trucks in California has already eliminated the need for an estimated 50,000 gallons of fuel.  When all 105 trucks are deployed by the end of this year, Frito-Lay expects to eliminate 200,000 gallons of fuel. The new all-electric trucks will operate from distribution centers located throughout California: Alameda, City of Industry, La Mirada, Manteca, San Diego, San Jose and Torrance.

"With the continued introduction of electric vehicles into our fleet, Frito-Lay continues to assert its commitment to environmental sustainability," said Leslie Starr Keating, senior vice president, supply chain for Frito-Lay North America.

"Nearly 20 percent of our medium-heavy duty delivery trucks in the state of California are slated to be transitioned to all-electric vehicles.  We have seen the accelerated growth and acquisition of this innovative technology because of the support from California. It's these private and public partnerships that create the momentum that alternative fuel vehicles need to become even more competitive."

To support the introduction of all-electric vehicles to California, Frito-Lay received a grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), specifically in the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The company also received funding from the California Energy Commission and the Hybrid Truck Bus Voucher Incentive Project from California Air Resources Board, administered by CalStart.

"These electric vehicles prove we possess the capacity, technology and imagination to make change happen," said California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. "That's the significance of today — efficiency, elegance and renewable energy coming together for a private company, in partnership with state and federal government.  It's a great day, and a great milestone – and is just the beginning of a lot of steps forward."

Once all of the electric trucks are fully deployed across the U.S., Frito-Lay will eliminate the need for 500,000 gallons of fuel annually. In addition, the all-electric delivery trucks:

    • Can run up to 80 miles on a single charge
    • Have zero tailpipe emissions
    • Emit 75 percent less CO2 gases than diesel
    • Operate virtually silent, eliminating noise pollution
    • Provide a long-term economically viable solution to traditional fuel sources