PLANO, TEXAS -- The all-electric trucks introduced by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division have charged their way to a million miles this month. Over the past two years, 176 all-electric trucks by Smith Electric Vehicles have been added to the Frito-Lay commercial delivery truck fleet. To date, these trucks have eliminated the need for approximately 200,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Frito-Lay and its parent company PepsiCo have a long-running commitment to environmental sustainability. With a U.S. fleet made up of more than 20,000 trucks, Frito-Lay has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gases and fuel consumption, both by 50 percent, by 2020, according to the company. To minimize the fleet's environmental impact, several types of vehicles have been introduced to meet the different needs of the Frito-Lay fleet. The all-electric trucks are delivery trucks used on urban routes with fewer daily miles.

Frito-Lay also announced it will purchase 100 Newton Series 2000 all-electric commercial vehicles in 2012 from Smith Electric Vehicles, bringing the total number of its electric fleet to more than 280.

With all electric trucks fully deployed on routes, Frito-Lay expects to reduce its fuel consumption by 500,000 gallons a year. The trucks generate zero tailpipe emissions. Electric trucks reduce fuel consumption, noise pollution and vehicle CO2 emissions, compared to traditional delivery trucks.

With the company’s next alt-fuel step, compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors will be introduced this spring, and will be used to haul large loads. Each CNG vehicle, purchased from Freightliner, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent, compared to diesel. With 67 CNG vehicles planned to be on route by the end of the year, Frito-Lay will eliminate the need for more than 900,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually.

According to Frito-Lay, trucks using CNG:
• Emit 23 percent less greenhouse gas than diesel.
• Use an abundant, domestic natural gas fuel.
• Depending on fuel tank size, can travel a 300 – 740 mile range per fill up.

The CNG vehicles will be used at seven Frito-Lay North America distribution centers, including: Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Irving, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Beloit, WI; Frankfort, IN; Charlotte, NC; and Casa Grande, AZ. The company piloted 18 CNG vehicles to prepare for the roll out.