HOOKSETT, NH — Oakhurst Dairy, northern New England’s largest independent family-owned dairy company and the first dairy company in the United States to purchase a hybrid delivery truck in 2009, unveiled three new hybrid electric delivery trucks at an event for employees and local and state officials at its Hooksett facility. The new vehicles will only operate in New Hampshire and primarily in the state’s ozone non-attainment areas, which include municipalities in Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford Counties. Currently, these areas do not meet federal air quality standards. The three new hybrid delivery trucks represent an expansion of the dairy’s existing alternative technology vehicle fleet.
Earlier this year, Oakhurst was awarded a State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Alternative Fuel Vehicles Grant through the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition (GSCCC) to fund the incremental cost of the new trucks. The funding was made available through the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program via the Department of Transportation (DOT), which supports projects that seek to improve air quality. The GSCCC works to increase energy security by decreasing consumption of foreign oil and is the administrator of the grant.
According to GSCCC Coordinator Dolores Rebolledo, “Oakhurst is committed to investing in alternative technologies and using renewable transportation fuels. The company is a strong stakeholder in the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition. This funding opportunity is a fine example of public/private partnerships to help reduce petroleum consumption in our state.”
The grant requires Oakhurst to assess and report on vehicle reliability, maintenance costs, fuel savings and emissions reductions achieved. Driver satisfaction will also be reviewed. These reports will be filed for the next five years and the GSCCC will use Oakhurst’s experiences as a model for businesses and fleet managers in New Hampshire so they too may realize the benefits of integrating advanced hybrid technology vehicles into their fleets.
“This grant allows us to grow our hybrid delivery truck fleet while we continue to work toward meeting our overall carbon reduction goals as a company,” said Bill Bennett, Chairman of the Board, Oakhurst Dairy. “This grant is a creative funding solution that will help us meet our business objectives while having a positive impact on the environment.”
For 90 years, Oakhurst Dairy has been on the forefront of developing and implementing innovative ideas and technologies to expand manufacturing capacity, increase operational efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The company’s first hybrid delivery truck has realized 35% fuel savings annually. Today, the single truck travels a daily route of 260 miles and uses 30 gallons of fuel, compared to a traditional truck, which would require 40 gallons to travel the same distance. Hybrid vehicles also account for 45% of Oakhurst’s sales vehicles. The independent family-owned dairy was also the first in its industry to convert its fleet to biodiesel. Today, Oakhurst Dairy has the largest private biodiesel fleet in New England — 90% of the fleet uses biodiesel — and 28% of the company’s total fuel needs are met by biodiesel fuel.
About Oakhurst Dairy
Oakhurst is northern New England’s truly local brand of milk. As the region’s largest independent family-owned dairy company, Oakhurst is committed to the health and wellbeing of the community and the environment. For 90 years and three generations, the Bennett family has stood behind every glass of Oakhurst milk, while contributing 10% of profits to local organizations through their Living Natural Goodness program to support healthy kids and a healthy environment – just another reason to choose Oakhurst, The Natural Goodness of Maine. For more information, visit www.oakhurstdairy.com.
Source: Oakhurst Dairy