MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA - In collaboration with Transport Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Frito Lay Canada has introduced zero-emission electric vehicles into its delivery fleet. 

Six vehicles will be based at Frito Lay Canada's major distribution centers across Canada - three in Brampton (ON), one in Ottawa (ON), one in Surrey (BC) and one in Laval (QC). 

Frito Lay Canada is a division of PepsiCo Canada. 

The electric vehicles were manufactured by Smith Electric Vehicles. Each EV has a 60-kilometers-per-day (37 miles) range, which meets the daily kilometer needs of the majority of the routes from the designated distribution centers. The six electric vehicles will be powered by electricity from the grid, offset by renewable energy credits. At the end of the battery lifespan (three to five years or longer), they will be returned to Smith Electric for recycling.  

"Electric vehicles are good for the environment because they do not use fossil fuels and they do not produce greenhouse gas or particulate emissions during operation," said Helmi Ansari, sustainability leader for Frito Lay Canada. "We've been striving to reduce our footprint on the planet for many years, and energy conservation has long been a strategic initiative for the company. Today's introduction of electric vehicles to our fleet brings us one step closer to our vision of a fleet that's comprised of several types of highly efficient vehicles that meet our various route needs and driving distances across the country." 

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"The introduction of our six zero-emission electric vehicles is the latest step in our ongoing environmental sustainability journey," added Marc Guay, president of PepsiCo Foods Canada. "There are long-term benefits to having a sustainability strategy -- both for the business and the environment. We think it's about demonstrating leadership and being a responsible corporate citizen." 

Frito Lay Canada said its goals are clear: use less water, electricity and fuels while reducing waste from everything the company makes, moves and sells. In addition to the introduction of the electric vehicles into its delivery fleet, Frito Lay Canada has:

• Reduced the total distance traveled by delivery trucks by 3 percent (1 million kilometers) in 2009 by optimizing delivery routes.

• Reduced manufacturing fuel consumption by more than 20 percent since 1999 per kilogram of snacks produced.

• Reduced water consumption by over 30 percent per unit since 1999, saving 5.4 billion liters of water through changes in manufacturing plants.

• Reused approximately 40 million shipping cartons since 1999, which is equivalent to more than 300,000 trees saved annually and more than 2 million trees saved since 1999.

• In 2009, diverted more than 92 percent of manufacturing waste from landfills into recycling and re-use streams. The company is striving for over 99 percent landfill diversion (1 percent or less of the waste going to landfill).

• Introduced the world's first 100-percent compostable chip bag innovation with the SunChips brand.

Frito Lay Canada's environmental sustainability efforts were recognized in 2009 by several Canadian government and industry environmental awards:

• 2009 CIPEC (Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation) Leadership Award for Corporate Stewardship

• 2009 Green Supply Chain Award from Transport Canada and Supply Chain Logistics Canada

• 2009 CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment) Pollution Prevention Award