BEN & Jerry's has made a change at its factory after the sweet treat giant got $160,000 in government funds to improve operations.
The company, which has made several green initiatives in the past, is introducing two new electric vehicles at factories in Vermont.
The news was celebrated by state leaders and fans of the company, along with one-half of the brand's namesake, Jerry Greenfield himself.
Also known as yard trucks, the electric vehicles will move trailers full of goods to loading docks around the warehouse yard.
The two trucks will replace standard vehicles that run on diesel fuel.
"It’s gonna be a big change in helping us with our environmental and sustainability issues," Greenfield told local CBS affiliate WCAX.
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The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation said the trucks will help eliminate over 90 tons of carbon emissions and 9,000 gallons of diesel consumption each year between both factories.
Because of this, they will also help pay for themselves.
"The amount they spent on this, if it’s translated into diesel dollars, within seven years, I believe, this truck will be paid off," said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder.
Vermont awarded the ice cream company the $160,000 to help buy the trucks as part of the state's Diesel Emissions Reduction Financial Assistance Program.
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The trucks are the first non-road vehicles that were funded through the initiative.
Ben & Jerry's staff said the next step will be adding on-road electric vehicles to transport items and supplies between its factories.
Greenfield said big companies have a responsibility to take major steps to help the environment.
"I think everybody realizes that all companies, but especially manufacturing companies, have a big environmental footprint," said Greenfield.
"We have a responsibility to do as much as we can and we're committed to doing that."
Ben & Jerry's said the trucks will help the company reach its goal of phasing out fossil fuel trucks at manufacturing sites by 2025.
