PepsiCo Beverages North America to Triple California Electric Fleet with Tesla Semis and Ford Vans

PepsiCo Beverages North America will significantly expand its California electric fleet, deploying 50 Tesla Semis and 75 Ford E-Transit vans. This move aligns with the company's pep+ strategy, aiming for net zero emissions by 2040.

PepsiCo Beverages North America Expands Electric Fleet in California, Deploying Tesla Semis and Ford E-Transit Vans

In a recent report by Reuters, PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) is making a significant stride in its sustainability journey with the expansion of its electric-powered fleet across California. Over the next few months, a fleet of fifty Class 8 Tesla Semi trucks will operate at its Fresno, Calif., manufacturing and distribution facility. Additionally, 75 Ford E-Transit electric vans will be deployed, marking a significant step in electrifying its equipment services fleet throughout the state. This substantial deployment of electric vehicles is a key part of PBNA's pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

"Our fleet electrification is an important part of our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy and illustrates how sustainability is a core business strategy at PepsiCo— good for the planet, good for our business, and good for the communities we serve," said John Dean, President for PepsiCo Beverages North America, West Division.

PBNA's Fresno facility is a 170,000-square-foot manufacturing plant with a fleet that distributes PepsiCo goods such as Pepsi, STARRY, Gatorade, Rockstar, Aquafina, and others. Eight 750-kilowatt Tesla chargers and two Tesla Megapack Battery Energy Storage Systems have been installed at the plant to power the electricity.

PBNA is implementing 75 Ford E-Transit electric vans across its 13 California facilities for various uses, such as sales deliveries and service support.

PepsiCo's Electric Fleet Expansion in Fresno Boosts Sustainability and Launches Career Training Program

Introducing electric vehicles in Fresno is about sustainability and investing in the community's future. According to PS Newswire, this initiative marks the start of a career training program for Reedley College and Duncan Polytechnic High School students. The program, which trains approximately 100 students annually, focuses on providing practical work experience in electric trucks and infrastructure maintenance, contributing to the local workforce and economy.

PepsiCo's involvement in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency's (NACFE) 2023 Run on Less Electric Depot demonstrated the possibility of seamlessly incorporating electrified Semis into PBNA's business via Tesla Semis based at PBNA's Sacramento site. Frito-Lay North America (FLNA) also operates a fleet of Tesla Semis from their Modesto, California factory, and FLNA's Queens, New York, facility took part in NACFE's 2023 Run on Less with a fleet of Ford E-Transits.

The expansion of PBNA's electric fleet has received significant support from key environmental organizations. The California Air Resources Board, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and the California Energy Commission have all provided a grant for their California Climate Investments. This statewide initiative, funded by billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars, is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boosting the economy, and enhancing public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. This support underscores the credibility and importance of PBNA's fleet expansion in the context of broader sustainability efforts.

Photo: Ja San Miguel/Unsplash