Business & Tech
Hybrid Trucks Greening Food Distribution
It makes sense that a company that delivers certified organic produce and other products from family farms would invest in hybrid semis.
Written by Beatrice Karnes
When you think of delivery truck, you typically envision smoke-belching, stinky diesel trucks.
The next time you see a Bay Area-based Daylight Foods truck rolling down the road—take a closer look. You may be looking at a clean, green, 21st century example of climate-controlled food distribution.
This year, Daylight Foods has added eight hybrids to its fleet in the form of Kenworth T370 diesel-electric trucks. Here’s how they work: electricity produced when braking assists the diesel engine and is reused in acceleration.
Tim Kouretas, Operations Manager, said his company is trying to “be environmentally friendly and follow the most environmentally friendly practices possible.”
Besides being good for the environment, the trucks will quickly pay for themselves thanks to fuel savings and tax breaks. California’s Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) provided a $160K cash credit toward the trucks.
“The older conventional diesel trucks averaged about 4-5 miles per gallon, with the hybrid trucks we are seeing on average 7-10 miles per gallon,” said Tim Ault, Daylight Foods’ Transportation Manager.
The company is so pleased with the cost savings and the performance of the trucks, Ault said Daylight Foods plans to phase-out older, conventional trucks.
Daylight Foods distributes fresh produce and dairy products from Eureka to Bakersfield. The company is located at 1001 Yosemite Dr. in Milpitas. It currently has several job openings listed on its career page.
