By Zanub Saeed
Duane Reade stores and pharmacies have partnered with Mission Electric to help reduce vehicular air pollution throughout New York.
Duane Reade will be asking its consumers to vote for which of its stores should have its products and goods delivered solely by electric trucks, as part of Mission Electric, said a press release issued by Duane Reade on Tuesday. Mission Electric is a non-profit and city-wide organization that focuses solely on enhancing electronic vehicular transportation in New York City.
"Partnering with Mission Electric is an important component of our effort to be green," Michael Fowles, Fleet Manager of Duane Reade, stated for the press release. "This exciting project is an excellent way for us to get our stores and our customers involved in the process of a cleaner future. It fosters true engagement around common urban challenges of air pollution, noise, and congestion. Through this program we can more easily work together to continue to make NYC such a wonderful place to live and visit."
The two stores with the most votes will receive the full electric truck treatment, said the press release, and five more stores will be chosen in the coming months. So far, over 30 stores have been identified as being ready for the electric truck delivery system in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, listed the press release.
Duane Reade will use 14 Smith Electric trucks for the deliveries, which they said will then make up for 25 percent of their entire truck fleet, said the press release. By using the trucks, an expectant 20 percent reduction in Duane Reade's total green house gas impact is expected to be made.
"Electric transportation isn't the future it's the present, and we want to ensure that everyone has a say on how this new technology unfolds," Christina Ficicchia, Executive Director of NYC and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Cities Coalition, was quoted s stating for the press release. "NYCLHVCC is excited to be Mission Electric's founding partner and we hope that more businesses follow the example set by Duane Reade and the City of New York to get cleaner vehicles on the streets. We encourage New Yorkers to log on, vote and steer the way towards an electric future."
