Electric vehicles are delivering pizza in Berks, Chester counties
Domino’s franchise owner has added 18 of the vehicles in Pennsylvania — so far
Domino’s Pizza began delivering pizzas “En-Pie-ronmentally” late last year across the country after announcing plans to add about 900 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet.
The 18 such vehicles already on the road in Pennsylvania are owned by one area franchise owner.
Mike Khan owns 108 Domino’s locations in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and he has 10 electric vehicles are operating in Berks and Chester counties. He’s waiting for an additional 10 for his Pennsylvania stores. Khan also has EVs on the road in New Jersey and Delaware.
“We purchased the EVs because they provide many hiring, business and environmental benefits,” Khan said in an emailed response to questions.
So far, Khan has EVs making deliveries from three locations in Berks and two locations in Chester. In Berks, Khan has five of the Chevy Bolt EVs in service at 810 Oley St. and 310 Penn St. in Reading, and 3007 N. Fifth Street Highway in Exeter Township
Right now, there are anywhere from one to three cars at each Berks store, though that fluctuates, he said.
In Chester, Khan has five cars making deliveries from locations at 241 E Gay St. in West Chester and 140 Rainbow Road in Valley Township.
Khan said the cars have been well-received, and things have been going well.
Jonathan Gambler is the manager of the Oley Street store. He said the EVs have been a benefit when it comes to staffing.
“They have created an opportunity for potential employees that may not have their own vehicles,” Gambler said, adding that he has three full-time EV drivers. He said hiring for EV drivers is a little different than it is for those driving gas-powered vehicles. EV drivers must be at least 25 years old, as opposed to 18 for gas-powered delivery drivers. The employee’s driving record is also taken into account.
John Colon has been a Domino’s employee for five years and is one of the EV drivers at the Oley Street store. He said he likes the cars, and it means less stress on his own vehicle. Colon and Gambler agree that customers have been receptive.
Gambler said customers have been asking when more of the vehicles will be on the road.
The vehicles are fully electric and are on the road “all day long, from open to close,” according to Gambler.
“They have good pep and are nice to drive. They do well in the city,” he added. One car typically makes about 600 deliveries per week.
“We usually charge each vehicle once a day. The 2023 Chevy Bolt EVs have about a 250 mile range,” Khan said, adding that chargers for each vehicle have been added.
Nationwide, more than 600 EVs have been delivered to stores, and nearly 300 more are expected, according to a Domino’s spokeswoman. The Chevy Bolts are part of the largest electric pizza delivery fleet in the country, the company said.
“We’ve made a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and this is one way we
can begin reducing our environmental impact, one delivery at a time,” Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner said in November when the company announced plans to electrify its delivery fleet.
Electric vehicles provide several advantages for stores, including ample battery life, zero tailpipe emissions, advanced safety features and lower average maintenance costs than nonelectric vehicles — without the financial impact of high gas prices, according to the company.
The electric vehicles join a delivery fleet that includes electric bikes and/or scooters in 24 international markets, including the U.S.
“Domino’s is no stranger to leading the charge when it comes to pizza delivery,” Khan said in a statement. “Using electric delivery cars make sense as vehicle technology continues to evolve.”
While Domino’s doesn’t offer specific incentives to franchisees when it comes to purchasing the EVs, a spokeswoman said the Chevy Bolts offer a cost structure that is attractive to store owners.
Gambler said Domino’s provides each vehicle with an exterior “wrap” that makes it clear just what kind of car it is. The vehicles feature a logo identifying them as part of “Domino’s Electric Delivery” fleet. In addition, the vehicles feature the phrase “En-Pie-Ronmentally Friendly Delivery.”
Among Khan’s 108 Domino’s locations are 10 stores in Berks, 10 stores in Chester, four stores in Delaware and 11 in Montgomery counties.
To see an interactive map of how many Domino’s EVs are in each state and how many are coming soon, visit dominos.com/ evfleet.