Tesla's mission is simple: "To accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass-market electric cars to market as soon as possible." In achieving that mission, Tesla has been aiming for years to disrupt the freight industry.
The company delivered its first Tesla Semi electric trucks in December last year. The trucks have a range of around 300 to 500 miles and can charge around 70% in 30 minutes. Tesla said that one of these electric trucks can generate around $200,000 in fuel savings over the course of three years.
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And now, at least a few of the trucks feature the famous PepsiCo logo, with the beverage company being one of the first organizations to start incorporating Tesla's electric trucks into its delivery fleets.
"Sacramento is one of our locations that really embodies our commitment to climate," PepsiCo Fleet's transformation and strategy director Amanda Devoe said in a recent video by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). Devoe said that the facility is focused on sustainable energy; it is powered by solar energy and includes a fleet of 21 Tesla electric trucks, in addition to a series of electric tractors and lithium-ion forklifts.
"Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are essential for us. A good majority of our business is anchored in going to market, we deliver predominantly under 100 miles on a daily basis and run those vehicles around 12 hours a day," Devoe said. "We feel the battery electric vehicle is most advantageous in our decarbonization strategy."
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The process of transforming the facility into a sustainably-focused electric powerhouse took three years and now features a variety of on-site charging infrastructure.
Though most of the electric trucks are focused on more local deliveries, three of the 21 are dedicated to long-haul routes, which range from 250 to 450 miles in length.
One of Pepsi's truckers noted that the semi is a smooth ride, saying that the "turning radius is better than my car."
"This is a very big deal," Pepsi's director of fleet operations Charles Burton said. "This is going to revolutionize how the trucking industry goes to market in the future. And PepsiCo is on the forefront of it. It's important that we get it right and do everything we can to make sure we run on less."
