Frito-Lay Burns Clean with Propane Autogas
The Frito-Lay company began switching it’s fleet to propane autogas powered vehicles in support of Clean Fuels Ohio, one of the largest of the U.S. Department of Energy’s nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions, back in late 2014.
Their fleet now has nearly 120 propane autogas powered Ford E350 vans with ROUSH CleanTech systems, and autogas refueling equipment installed on-site at several locations.
Frito-Lay and its parent company, PepsiCo, committed to conserving fuel and reducing emissions from their delivery trucks and sales cars. Specifically, they aimed to cut greenhouse gas emissions through their sales and delivery fleet vehicles by 50% by 2017.
According to Glenn Reynolds, Fleet Manager for Frito-Lay’s Mid-American Region, explained how “In 2007, Frito-Lay and PepsiCo began a concentrated, nationwide effort to reduce emissions and conserve fuel.”
“Propane autogas works well in our old gas vehicles.”
Michael Birk, Frito-Lay Senior Sustainability Manager
To implement this initiative, the company partnered with several organizations. These included the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, Ford, and Clean Fuels Ohio. Additionally, they collaborated with Ferrell Gas to expand propane fueling stations.
During the testing and selection of alternative-fuel vehicles across Ohio, Clean Fuels Ohio and the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program approached Frito-Lay with partnership opportunities.
“Our focus for the next three to five years is to move forward with alternative fuels within our fleet, as we continue to move the industry off of traditional fossil fuels.”
Michael Birk, Frito-Lay Senior Sustainability Manager
He further explained, “We partnered with Clean Fuels Ohio after learning about available grant funding for vehicle conversions. Ohio has taken an aggressive stance on alternative fuels, so we saw a strong opportunity to move forward.”
“Propane autogas works well in our old gas vehicles,” Birk says. “We have successfully converted them from gasoline to propane autogas. It works very well for our medium- to light-duty vehicles.
“Our focus for the next three to five years is to move forward with alternative fuels within our fleet as we continue to move the industry off of traditional fossil fuels.”
Thanks to financial support, the shift has become more accessible. Rebates from the Ohio Propane Gas Association now make it easier to purchase propane vehicles or convert existing ones. The OPGA offers up to $5,000 per entity, including $1,000 per vehicle or mower.
