Signaling that energy saving and environmentally friendlytechnology has come of age, the largest fleet of hybrid electric deliverytrucks in North America will take to the roads this year. The deployment byCoca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) will put 185 new hybrid electric trucks in serviceacross the U.S. and Canada in 2009. The new vehicles will raise the number ofhybrids in the company’s delivery operation to 327, the largest such fleet inNorth America.
Beginning in 2001, CCE began an intensive research anddesign program with suppliers to develop, test and produce hybrid electrictrucks. By the end of 2008, the company had deployed 142 hybrid electric trucksin cities like Atlanta; Baltimore; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Houston; LosAngeles; Miami; Toronto; Vancouver, and Washington, D.C.
In 2009, CCE plans to deploy larger hybrid tractors inAtlanta; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; NewYork; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco; Seattle; Tampa, Fla.; Toronto; Vancouver;and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company will add hybrid 12-bay trucks toits operations in Albuquerque, N.M. ; Columbus, Ohio; Jacksonville, Fla.; LasVegas, and Montreal.
CCE already has 142 hybrid electric delivery vehicles on theroad, the majority of which are Class 7 12-bay trucks (33,000-lb. GVW). Thenew, larger hybrid electric tractors have a 55,000-lb. GCW, which equates tothe standard bulk delivery truck the company uses for large deliveries.
The new hybrid electric tractors that will join the CCEfleet build on the success the company has had with its hybrid electric 12-baytrucks. Similarly, the tractors utilize hybrid technology from Eaton Corp. andstate-of-the-art components from other key suppliers, including Kenworth TruckCo. and Cummins Engine Co.
The hybrid tractors at CCE will use about 30% less fuel andproduce about 30% fewer emissions than standard tractors in the fleet. Amotor/-generator, working with the transmission and a series of lithium ionbatteries, allows the truck to source electrical power instead of diesel fuelwhen traveling at speeds below 30 MPH, reducing emissions and fuel use.
The hybrid fleet announcement also included the presentationof a leadership award to CCE on behalf of the Southeast Diesel Collaborativefor the company’s commitment to hybrid vehicles that reduce diesel emissions.U.S. EPA Deputy Regional Administrator, Stan Meiburg, presented the award. “EPAis proud to recognize the efforts of Coca-Cola Enterprises to improve airquality and protect public health,” he said. “Emissions from diesel engines area serious public health threat and environmental challenge, and reducing theseemissions is a priority for EPA.”
Georgia Governor, Sonny Perdue, was also on hand at theannouncement. “I want to commend Coca-Cola Enterprises for receiving this awardand for its deployment of the largest fleet of hybrid electric delivery trucksin North America,” he said. “Their investment in hybrid electric vehiclesdistinguishes the company amongst its peers and ensures that it remains at theforefront as a true leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability.”
“Coca-Cola Enterprises has long been responsive to the needsof our local communities, and dedicated to the continued expansion of ourhybrid electric fleet across North America,” said CCE Chairman and CEO, John F.Brock. “This demonstrates our commitment to energy efficiency, and with thedeployment of newer, larger hybrid delivery vehicles, we are continuing toexplore ways to help our customers and communities. Our corporateresponsibility and sustainability efforts help us capture operationalefficiencies, drive innovation and effectiveness, and eliminate waste whilesimultaneously protecting the environment.”
CCE’s deployment also sends a very clear signal thatcollaboration between fleets and suppliers like Eaton — which has investedheavily in developing hybrid electric systems for commercial vehicles –– andgovernment entities like EPA are paying off. These truly industry efforts areespecially important for a growing number of fleets, the public and theenvironment in which we all live.
