Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 🚚 Pepsi is using 21 Tesla Semi trucks to help reach its sustainability goals in Sacramento, California.
- 🌿 The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint and is relying on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for short-range travel within the area.
- ⚡ The Tesla Semi’s technology, including regenerative braking, has been instrumental in extending its range and improving efficiency during routes, even in challenging terrains like Donnar’s Pass.
- 🏭 The sustainability project is ahead of schedule due to the mass adoption of EVs, led by the Tesla Semi, at Pepsi’s northern California plant.
In Sacramento, California, Pepsi has embraced the revolutionary potential of the Tesla Semi, deploying 21 of these groundbreaking vehicles to support its sustainability objectives. As part of a multi-year initiative to reduce its carbon footprint, Pepsi relies on a mix of electric vehicles (EVs), including the Semi, battery forklifts, Ford eTransit vans, and other battery electric vehicles (BEVs), to efficiently manage the full logistical load at its northern California plant.
Amanda DeVoe, Pepsi’s Transformation and Strategy Director, emphasizes the significance of battery electric vehicles for their operations, particularly given their specific duty cycle and asset usage. As a substantial portion of Pepsi’s business involves daily deliveries within a 100-mile radius, with vehicles operating around 12 hours each day, EVs align seamlessly with their short-range travel requirements from the distribution warehouse in Sacramento to the final delivery destinations.
Among these EVs, the Tesla Semi plays a crucial role in Pepsi’s business practices, with the company and its employees adapting swiftly to the dynamic landscape of commercial logistics. Out of the 21 Tesla Semi units, three are dedicated to long-haul routes, covering distances ranging from 250 to 450 miles, effectively supporting Pepsi’s transportation needs.
Pepsi’s strategic integration of electric vehicles, especially the Tesla Semi, showcases the company’s commitment to sustainability and exemplifies how innovative transportation solutions can revolutionize the commercial industry.
The Tesla Semi’s technology, especially with regenerative braking, has been a monumental help for Pepsi, especially with the routes that include Donnar’s Pass.
Dejan Antunović, Pepsi’s Electrification Program Manager, said:
“Going across Donnar’s Pass and back from [Sacramento] to Nevada, we’re able to, on the trip back, actually zero out, in terms of state of charge improving due to regenerative braking…It extends range for us in a way that is invaluable.”
Transport drivers and fleet managers stated the Megacharger has helped tremendously with the travel, helping Semis reach 95 percent state of charge within 20 to 30 minutes of charging. They also commented on how comfortable the Semi’s interior is and how easy it is to drive due to the throne’s positioning toward the front of the vehicle.
It took three years for Pepsi to prepare for the sustainability project to really take shape, which required 3 MW of additional service to the facility.
However, the project is years ahead of schedule due to the mass adoption of EVs at the plant, led by the Semi.
