By Andi Anderson
PepsiCo is making strides toward its ambitious sustainability goals by increasing the use of biodiesel in its semi-truck fleet.
At the Farm Progress Show, PepsiCo teamed up with Clean Fuels Alliance America to showcase its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using higher blends of biodiesel fuel. This effort aligns with PepsiCo’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
PepsiCo, which owns Frito-Lay, operates one of the largest private trucking fleets in the U.S. with over 80,000 trucks. The company aims to reduce direct and indirect emissions by 75% by 2030 and broader supply chain emissions by 40%.
To achieve this, PepsiCo is shifting to biodiesel blends like B99/B100, which are nearly all biogenic and significantly lower carbon emissions.
PepsiCo has already converted 50 trucks to run on B100 biodiesel using a vector system developed by Optimus Technologies Inc. This system allows trucks to switch seamlessly from traditional diesel to B100, even in cold conditions.
The system includes a heat exchanger that warms the biodiesel to prevent it from freezing, ensuring the trucks operate efficiently in winter.
Currently, PepsiCo has converted trucks in Topeka, Kansas, and Beloit, Wisconsin, and has used around 250,000 gallons of biodiesel in 2024.
The company is also installing biodiesel tanks at its facilities to overcome the limited availability of B99/B100 fuels. PepsiCo’s efforts are a significant step toward reducing Scope 3 emissions and promoting the use of renewable fuels across the transportation sector.
Photo Credit: vista-mipan
Categories: National