NEW YORK — Frito-Lay is preparing to launch the largest commercial all-electric hybrid fleet in North America.

The PespiCo-owned potato chip maker, which already rolled out half a dozen electric trucks in Toronto in July, is now setting its sights on electrifying roads in the Big Apple and other big cities in the U.S.

New York will see five Frito-Lay electric trucks this month. Another 21 units hit the streets later this year in Columbus, Ohio and Ft Worth, Texas.

The company, which operates one of the largest private fleets in North America, projects it will roll out 155 trucks in 2011, making it the largest commercial fleet of all-electric trucks in North America.

The zero-emission truck, designed by Smith Electric Vehicles, is the largest plug-in-battery electric truck in the world.

Frito-Lay’s version has a GVW of about 16,000 lb.; a top speed of about 80 km/h; and a range of about 160 km on a single charge.

"There are real economic and environmental benefits to electric trucks," said Mike O’Connell, director of fleet capability for Frito Lay North America. "Once the planned 176 electric trucks are deployed we will eliminate the need for 500,000 gallons of fuel annually. Each truck emits 75 percent less greenhouse gases than a conventional diesel truck."