10:24 AM EST, 11/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Duke Energy ( DUK ) said Thursday it has been conducting a pilot project using an electric semitruck for supply chain logistics in North Carolina, marking its first attempt to electrify a commercial vehicle route.

The electric power company said the project replaced a diesel-powered truck with an electric vehicle to transport equipment and supplies, reducing emissions and operating costs.

The electric truck operated on a 500-mile weekly route, completing 14,000 miles from January to mid-August, saving nearly 1,947 gallons of diesel, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 19.6 metric tons, Duke said. The vehicle demonstrated performance comparable to diesel trucks, with charging taking about two hours, the company added.

Duke said the project is in line with its plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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