By switching more of its freight to rail, Quaker will reduce the overall number of road miles travelled by its fleet transport by over 300,000 miles per year, saving more than 180 tonnes of CO2 annually.paragraph copy

In addition to reducing road miles, the electric train will help PepsiCo move closer to achieving its goal of using 100% renewable energy at its manufacturing and distribution sites within 15 years. The train will also increase productivity, enabling greater volumes to be transported than by lorry.

Speaking about the initiative, Walter Todd, VP Operations, PepsiCo UK, said:

"We are always looking for innovative ways to become more efficient and this initiative not only improves productivity and reduces costs, it also serves our commitment to cutting carbon emissions and becoming a more environmentally sustainable business."

PepsiCo is already exploring further possibilities for expanding the use of electric train throughout its businesses. The initiative is the latest example of ways in which the business is radically rethinking how it moves its raw materials and finished goods in order to reduce transport emissions. Other examples include:

• Quaker and Walkers, also part of PepsiCo, working together to eliminate empty running routes. After delivering crisps to Fife, Walkers lorries transport Quaker products instead of making the return journey empty.
• PepsiCo working with its retailers to identify mutual transport routes. By reviewing the activities of supplier and retailer fleets, PepsiCo has identified opportunities to eliminate empty running routes for both parties. This has resulted in the elimination of around 700,000 miles per year.
• Walkers has integrated two thirds of its British potato cargo into its in-house fleet. Walkers designed a special trailer capable of simultaneously carrying bulk raw materials and finished product, enabling the fleet to make deliveries to retailers en route to the farm. This saves just under 300,000 miles per year.

These initiatives form part of PepsiCo's commitment to reduce energy use by 20% per kilo of production by 2011. To read more on our environmental commitments and progress, or give us feedback on how we're doing, please visit our environment homepage or read the full Environmental Sustainability Update 2008/9.

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