Giant Food Environmentally Delivers: New All-Electric Trucks Join the Fleet
Occasionally, here at Responsible Foods, we like to take a post or two to talk about brands who are being highlighted in the news as contributing to society or the environment in a positive way. It's our reminder to our readers that no act is too small when it comes to total wellness.
Well, we came across this tid-bit in our reading and thought it was worth the mention. And while I'm not sure that I believe electric vehicles are changing the game of emissions, I can appreciate a business trying to decrease its carbon footprint. So, enter Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C.'s regional grocery chain.
Zero-Emissions Vehicles Out for Delivery
Giant Food recently announced the deployment of two brand new, fully electric Giant Delivers vehicles. This move signals Giant's continued commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and providing an environmentally friendly delivery option for its customers. So now, customers who shop Giant Food's delivery service can do so with pride, saving themselves time and saving the environment toxic emissions. Way to go, Giant Food!
Do Electric Vehicles Really Make a Difference?
Electric vehicles have been around for a while now, but they still haven't quite caught on with the general public.
There is no doubt, however, that electric vehicles have many benefits. They produce zero emissions, which is great for the environment. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), water vapor (H2O) and ozone (O3), trap heat from the sun and warm the Earth's atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps our planet at a livable temperature. The problem occurs when too many greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere. This can cause the Earth's average temperature to rise, which can lead to climate change. And electric vehicles produce zero emissions, so they don't contribute to climate change.
In addition, they're much quieter than gasoline-powered cars. This is important because noise pollution is a serious problem in many cities, especially highly-populated cities that seemingly never sleep like the major D.C. area where Green Giant does business. Noise pollution is a real problem and can cause a variety of health problems, including sleep disruption and anxiety.
Electric vehicles are also much cheaper to operate than gas-powered vehicles, especially with the current sky-rocketing gas prices. The initial cost of an electric vehicle may be higher, but in the long run, owners seem to save money.
Giant Food Goes Green
The two new vehicles, which were purchased through Silicon Valley innovator Motiv Power Systems, a leading manufacturer of zero-emission, medium duty buses and trucks. The trucks, engineered and made in America, are said to be the first of many in an attempt to swap out more of their delivery vehicles to the new standard. With a range of up to 105 miles on a single charge, the all-electric trucks will enable Giant to reduce GHG emissions by 65%. And we think that's pretty cool.
Time will tell if they continue to put their money where their mouth is or if this purchase prompted by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) through the Clean Fuels Incentive Program (CFIP) grant is just a move for good publicity.
What we know for sure is progress is rarely made in grand, sweeping movements. It's just not practical to expect immediate turnover. But Giant Food seems to be taking a step in the right direction. 2 vehicles down. 128 vehicles in the Giant Food delivery fleet to go. Now that's a tall order.