FRESNO, CALIF. — Challenge Dairy, a cooperative association of member-owner California farmers, revealed its latest sustainability efforts involve incorporating electric vehicles (EV) into its fleet of delivery trucks.

The first two EV trucks began hauling the company’s dairy products on Oct. 10, and Challenge Dairy said it will add a third by the end of this year. It also set a goal of making its entire fleet electric by 2035.

Part of California Dairies, Inc.’s consumer products group, Challenge Dairy said the use of EV trucks will “significantly reduce” its diesel consumption, because each truck projects to save approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel a year. Eyeing a reduced carbon footprint, the dairy cooperative said the transition will reduce CO2 emissions by about 30 metric tons per truck per year.

The EV trucks include electric refrigeration systems, Challenge Dairy noted, meaning the vehicles create zero emissions. And the company said its distribution model fits in well with the use of EV trucks, which have a functional range of 70 to 115 miles per charge.

“Challenge Dairy was founded in Fresno in 1911, and our commitment to quality and sustainability has only strengthened over the years,” said Michael Burdeny, California Dairies’ chief commercial officer. “These new refrigerated EV trucks are a first for the industry, and we’re proud to lead the way in environmental stewardship.”