Sysco Corp., Houston, Texas, placed a reservation for 50 of Tesla’s new fully-electric semi tractors.

“We are excited to begin the process of incorporating alternative-fuel trucks into our fleet,” says Tom Bené, president and COO. “This reinforces Sysco’s commitment to corporate social responsibility by reducing the environmental impact of our operations. In addition to the positive environmental impacts, we will also benefit from reduced fuel and maintenance costs and drive associate enthusiasm with the introduction of new and unique technology.”

Tesla’s semi tractor offers up to 500 miles of range on a single charge and is said to significantly reduce the cost of cargo transport. Tesla, San Carlos, Calif., will begin production in 2019.