PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division plans on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2030 through the replacement of all its existing diesel-powered freight equipment with zero-emission and near-zero emission technologies at its Modesto, Calif. manufacturing site.

This Zero- and Near Zero-Emission Freight Facility Project will transform the 500,000-square-foot site to  integrate an array of commercially available and pre-commercial ZE and NZE technologies in numerous applications, according to the company. Among them will be fleet vehicles and supporting infrastructure, on-site renewable energy generation, and energy storage systems. The Modesto project will also contribute to emerging technologies by funding data collection and reporting of the project results.

The project is part of California Climate Investments (CCI), a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. CCI funding is awarded by several state agencies including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), according to a release.

The $30.8 million Modesto project is expected to be completed in 2021. The current ZE and NZE project is a continuation of the Modesto facility's widespread sustainability initiatives and commitment to environmental stewardship.

The project is the result of a partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), which received a grant from CCI – matched by investments from Frito-Lay and American Natural Gas (ANG), as well as in-kind contributions from Café Coop – to support the Modesto sustainability initiative.

PepsiCo's sustainability goals reflect the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and call to combat climate change and its impacts, according to the company. This project marks another important milestone as PepsiCo works toward the goal of reducing absolute GHG emissions across its value chain.

Contributors to the Zero- and Near-Zero Emission Freight Facility Project includes: ANG; BYD Motors LLC; Café Coop; CALSTART; University of California, Riverside CE-CERT; ChargePoint; Crown, Gladstein Neandross & Associates (GNA); Meritor; Peterbilt; Project Clean Air; SJVAPCD; Tesla and Volvo.