2Sustain

Earlier this month, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America announced the addition of ten new trucks to its growing all-electric fleet – a move that pushes the company closer to its goal of becoming the most fuel-efficient commercial fleet in the country.

Frito-Lay is working with Smith Electric Vehicles, the nation’s top manufacturer of battery-electric commercial trucks and a leader in the development of commercial electric trucks designed to operate at peak effectiveness in urban environments. All told, Frito-Lay says it plans to deploy 176 all-electric vehicles in the US and Canada this year.

Some benefits of these trucks include: (more…)

The logistics sector is an increasingly significant contributor to the global economy –and it’s also an increasingly significant consumer of fossil fuels.

To me, that indicates that logistics companies are facing considerable sustainability-related risks. Are there steps these companies can take to mitigate these risks while enhancing their competitiveness in today’s increasingly complex global business environment?

A new report from RBC and Supply Chain & Logistics Association Canada (SCL) takes a detailed look at that question and ultimately, concludes that environmental sustainability should be considered both a key issue and an important opportunity for Canada’s transportation and logistics companies.

According to the report, CEOs in the logistics sector need to grapple with five specific environmental challenges: (more…)

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), part of the United Nation’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), recently adopted mandatory measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping. Approved last month at IMO Headquarters in London, these are the first-ever mandatory global greenhouse emissions plan for any international industry sector.

The new regulations apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above and are expected to enter into force on January 1, 2013.

The standard for new ships, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), is a non-prescriptive performance-based mechanism that leaves the choice of energy efficient technologies on newly-built ships up to the shipbuilder. As long as ships achieve the required energy-efficient metrics, ship designers and builders are at liberty to choose the most cost-effective methods needed to comply with these new regulations.

An additional standard, the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), applies to ships currently in operation. The SEEMP provides a mechanism for operators to improve the energy efficiency of ships (using slow steaming, e.g.).

As you might expect, not everyone is satisfied with the IMO’s new standards. Critics note that developing countries have a six-year waiver, and the rules only apply to new ships replacing old ones. (more…)

By the end of 2011, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division will have the largest fleet of commercial all-electric trucks in North America.

Frito-Lay will be rolling out five new electric trucks in New York City this month. 21 more will be deployed this year. After that, an additional 150 will join the fleet next year.

The trucks, designed by Smith Electric Vehicles, generate zero tailpipe emissions and operate for up to 100 miles on a single charge. Smith Electric is a leader in the development of commercial electric trucks designed to operate at peak effectiveness in urban environments, and the company produces the Newton, which is the only all-electric commercial truck on the market. (more…)

A global study conducted by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has found that transport companies are lagging behind other sectors in mitigating greenhouse gases and setting targets.

The first comprehensive report of its kind, this study surveyed 291 of the largest transport companies in the world, including those that cover road, rail, sea and air transport. The results show that: (more…)