In an effort to reduce vehicle air pollution, Duane Reade, in partnership with Mission Electric, is turning to New Yorkers to determine which of its stores should be served solely by electric trucks.

New Yorkers can vote for locations they feel should receive 100% electric delivery via an interactive map launched by Mission Electric, a non-profit and city government social engagement campaign focused on enhancing electric vehicle transportation.

Based on the campaign results, the two leading stores will be going electric, with five more pre-selected stores to follow in later months. Participants in the campaign will be entered in a contest to win Duane Reade "green" gift baskets and gift cards. Combined, more than 30 stores have been identified as electric truck ready in the four boroughs boroughs of Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan.

To reduce the impact of air pollution originating from vehicle deliveries, Duane Reade has purchased 14 new Smith Electric trucks that will replace almost 25% of the company's truck fleet. The partnership with Mission Electric will reduce Duane Reade's total green house gas impact by about 20%. That is the equivalent of removing more than 1,000 vehicles' tailpipe emissions from New York's streets. Because the new trucks do not require combustion, their operation is almost silent, reducing noise levels from overnight deliveries.

"New Yorkers live in the fast lane, and this partnership will help them also take the green lane," says David Bragdon, director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. "The City's own municipal fleet is the second-largest public sector fleet in the nation, after the Federal Government's, but it is important for the private sector to do its part too. Duane Reade's investment in electric vehicles will help meet our ambitious PlaNYC goal of reducing NYC's green house gas emissions. We're pleased to work with all the partners in the Mission Electric campaign to drive forward to a greener, cleaner city."

For more information: http://nyc.missionelectric.org/