Duane Reade Pharmacies To Add Smith Electric Vehicles To Delivery Fleet
In an effort to improve fuel efficiency standards and lower carbon dioxide emissions, retail pharmaceutical chain Duane Reade announced on September 19 a partnership with Smith Electric Vehicles to add Newton zero-emission, all-electric commercial trucks to its delivery fleet. With the addition of these medium-duty trucks, Duane Reade is the first retail pharmacy in the United States to choose fleet electrification through a pilot program with the global leader in zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles.
The new eco-friendly additions to the drug store's delivery fleet will prove ideal for urban delivery applications that demand heavy stop-and-go driving, with range in excess of 100 miles on a single overnight charge, a payload of more than 16,000 pounds, and an average annual operating cost that is one-third to one-half that of conventional diesel trucks. The Newton produces zero emissions, is virtually silent and features a regenerative braking system that reduces wear on the brakes while restoring charge to the battery.
The program is part of a continued energy initiative at Duane Reade, whereby all new and renovated stores feature ninety-five percent to ninety-eight percent low-heat LED lighting, translating to approximately forty percent less power consumption each year, eliminating the high-energy output air-conditioning units that were once required to mitigate the excessive heat produced by traditional light sources. In these same stores, Duane Reade has also incorporated Polyflor flooring, which is produced by using thirty percent less water than most other commercial surfaces. It requires little maintenance and cleaning, while presenting an average life span of twenty to twenty-five years, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.