The Future is Electric
Leprino’s Largest Facility Reduces Air Pollution with Electric Yard Dogs
Leprino’s largest facility has taken another step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality. Located in central California’s San Joaquin Valley, the sprawling Lemoore facility (known within Leprino as “Lemoore West”) has long used diesel-powered yard dogs. However, as California Air and Resource Board (CARB) standards evolve and the original diesel-powered vehicles approach end of life, a shift to modern technology made sense.
The diesel units were projected to fall out of compliance with CARB standards by 2026. As the plant evaluated replacement options, Ryan Rocha, Lemoore West Materials Manager, explained, “We expect to get 15 to 20 years of service from each unit, so it makes sense to choose the most environmentally responsible option.”
After a trial with Orange EV – Pure Electric Terminal Trucks vehicles in 2024, Rocha was ready to replace the nearly 20-year-old yard dogs with the modern, electric puppies, electing the zero-emission electric vehicles over a clean diesel option. In July of 2025 Lemoore West introduced electric “yard dogs” to their fleet of semi-tractors which are used to move product to nearby rail lines for distribution.
“Switching to electric can also help improve air quality in the San Joaquin Valley, which is known to have some of the worst air pollution in the state,” Rocha further explained.
In addition to reducing emissions, the plant will reduce fuel costs and noise pollution, benefitting both employees and the surrounding community. Compounding these benefits, Lemoore West can utilize its 10-megawatt solar field to charge the new units.