Reducing Our Carbon Footprint, One Delivery at a Time

“We’re able to deliver three to four times as fast as the car drivers,” says Julian Whitworth, an e-bike delivery rider from our Pike Street store. “Up the street on Pike and Broadway, and all the way through 12th, traffic is heavy. Downtown, too. Being able to weave through traffic, we’re able to deliver quicker than cars.”

By August 2025, Pagliacci delivered nearly one in five orders (19.1%) by e-bike or electric vehicle (EV), hitting our Q4 goals of 20% a few months early. This didn’t happen by accident. Pagliacci’s Envision Zero initiative aims to achieve carbon neutrality and zero waste. As part of the initiative, we purchased EVs for delivery, expanded our e-bike fleet, and created an incentive for employees to purchase EVs.

Our Pike location is well suited to e-bike use thanks to its small, densely populated delivery area. Cars remain essential for distance and very large orders, but bikes cover most close-in runs with fewer delays. At Pike, more than half of all deliveries now go by bike. “There’s not a lot of limitation to what they can do,” says Jeff Woodruff, Pagliacci’s chief operating officer. “It’s pretty impressive.”

General Manager Quinn Ressler has spent the past six months refining the system at Pike — and he’s taking what works to Pagliacci’s new Redmond store when it opens in a few weeks. Quinn recruits experienced couriers that are comfortable carrying 50 pounds, riding in all weather, and navigating the city’s quirks. “The e-bike riders we have now are hardcore — rain, snow, or shine — they’re out there with a smile,” Quinn says. “During events like Pride weekend and block parties, streets close but riders can still get through, saving even more time.” The approach is intentional: build a culture around bikes rather than asking car drivers to switch on a rainy night.

What about electrical vehicles? Paglaicci’s company-owned EVs now operate from six stores, and their share of total deliveries has nearly doubled this year. At those locations, a quarter to a third of runs are handled by EVs. The largest and fastest-growing share, though, is driver-owned EVs, which consistently account for about 10% of company deliveries.

Why are more drivers buying in? A test drive at work helps. John Bay, a longtime Magnolia driver, recently purchased the same model he uses during his shifts. “Yes, I got a Fiat 500e, the same car that we have at the Magnolia store,” he says. “I’d never driven an electric car before and was impressed by how smoothly it ran… Sometimes I wish it was a little bigger, but the small size makes it great for parking and maneuvering when I’m doing deliveries. Also, I’m glad to go green when I can.”

To support that momentum, Pagliacci has created an employee incentive program so they can purchase at or near invoice and keep manufacturer rebates — a simple, no-cost pathway that’s already influencing buying decisions.

“I love the freedom of being on a bike and meeting the different types of customers I encounter on my deliveries,” says Julian. “Our bike fleet is pretty unique, and we’re easy to spot in Pagliacci gear. When I’m waiting for a light or heading into a building, people give a shout-out. We’re out there representing Pagliacci. It’s fun.”