Einride launches with PepsiCo in the UK

Throughout the three-year partnership, PepsiCo expects Einride to expand the electric truck fleet and for the EVs to cover a distance of more than 1.2 million kilometres. This should save more than 1,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions since the new trucks will replace diesel vehicles.

PepsiCo aims for net zero emissions by 2040, said Archana Jagannathan, Head of Sustainability, PepsiCo UK. “Our partnership with Einride is a small yet important step towards that ambition, one that will help us drive meaningful progress in sustainable transport. With this initial deployment, we’re looking forward to better understanding the potential role electric trucks can play in our transport operations.”

PepsiCo will have an initial deployment of an unknown number of trucks. They will carry Walkers’ crisps or likely potatoes between plants in Leicester and Coventry.

The truck fleet relies on Einride’s intelligent Saga platform. The company also utilises the platform for its so-called “grid concept”. Said grid simplifies freight management over long distances and removes inefficiencies that are otherwise typical for the industry, with smart handovers meaning goods don’t have to be delayed due to battery recharges or a driver change, writes Einride. Their service includes all logistical touchpoints, from intelligent software to reliable charging infrastructure and maintenance services.

In the UK, Einride is working towards a “freight mobility grid” to unfold along the UK’s busiest motorways connecting the major cities of London, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.

Still, the starting point with PepsiCo will be the Midlands’ so-called “golden logistics triangle,” which lies within four hours’ drive of 90% of the British population and contains a significant share of the country’s logistics and warehousing facilities, writes Einride.

“The efficient and innovative movement of goods has consistently been integral to the growth and prosperity of the UK, with the British pioneering both the railway system and canal networks,” said Robert Falck, Founder and CEO of Einride. “We’re honoured to be here, teaming up with local partners to further establish the UK as a transport pioneer and ultimately help the country meet its net zero goals.”

In future, Einride plans to establish a “vast network of partners” across the UK and Ireland, connecting additional shippers and operators. This would enable cost-efficient scaling of the grid together with increased emission savings, so the company. “Once a critical mass of transportation volumes is established, the expansion of the grid will be further supported by algorithmic optimisation provided by Einride Saga.” The company also expects to remotely operate autonomous trucks.

The UK launch follows Einride’s expansion in Germany, the Benelux region and Norway in 2022, as reported. Einride manages fleets for Maersk, AB InBev, Lidl and GE Appliances, among others.

Update 24 October 2024

Einride announced its partnership with PepsiCo, with a fleet of digitally optimized electric trucks live in Memphis, Tennessee. This initial wave will support PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay food distribution by electrifying some routes in the Memphis region. This marks the second market in which Einride and PepsiCo have partnered in to deploy sustainable shipping solutions, since previously deploying in the U.K. in 2023.

“PepsiCo’s decarbonization strategy is not one-size fits all. We’re continuously looking for new and innovative ways to reduce our Scope 3 emissions,” explained David Allen, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for PepsiCo Foods North America, adding: “Our three-way partnership with Einride and Armstrong Transportation has built a scalable, turn-key approach to electrification-as-a-service with sustainability at the center of our joint goals.”

einride.tech, einride.tech (update)