Viewed as a critical part of its sustainability efforts, Coca-Cola Enterprises is expanding its fleet of hybrid-electric delivery trucks in North America. Last spring, the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of Coca-Cola products placed an order for 150 Kenworth T370 diesel-electric hybrid tractors and 35 T370 hybrid trucks. In December 2009, the company announced it was adding 15 hybrid single-axle tractors to its existing fleet of 22 hybrid trucks in Canada.
In total, Coca-Cola has 327 hybrid delivery vehicles in operation across the U.S. and Canada, including 305 Kenworth T370 diesel-electric models consisting of 155 straight trucks and 150 tractors. This represents the largest hybrid fleet in North America.
The T370 tractors (rated at 55,000 lbs. GCW) are the largest hybrid delivery models on the road in North America. These vehicles, according to the manufacturer, use about 30% less fuel and produce about 30% fewer emissions than standard tractors.
Coca-Cola’s experience with its original order of 120 Kenworth T370 hybrid beverage delivery trucks, which were deployed throughout the U.S. and Canada last year, bears out that claim. The company reports achieving increased fuel efficiency and decreased emissions.
“The hybrids are performing well, with a more than 30% improvement in both fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard beverage delivery trucks,” said Gary Kapusta, the company’s vice president of indirect procurement. “These trucks represent one of several ways we are investing to reduce energy consumption across our business.”
Coca-Cola uses its Kenworth T370 hybrid tractors as standard bulk delivery units, and plans to continue to deploy them in major cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, D.C. The T370 hybrid trucks are being used in Albuquerque, Boston, Cincinnati, Columbus (Ohio), Jacksonville (Florida), Knoxville, Las Vegas, Missoula, New Orleans, and Seattle.
Kenworth T370 hybrids are equip-ped with a PACCAR PX-6 engine, rated up to 280 HP and 660 lb./ft. of torque, and the Eaton diesel-electric hybrid power system. The hybrids also have an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator and frame-mounted 340-volt, lithium-ion battery pack.
Advanced powertrain controls in the hybrid models monitor driving conditions and automatically select the ideal power mode, switching between electric only, combined diesel and electric, and diesel only power modes. Electricity generated through regenerative braking is stored and used for acceleration, assisting the diesel engine.
The hybrid system is monitored through a dash display. As the power requirements for different driving conditions change, the screen constantly updates the driver on system status.
In addition to the T370 Class 7 (rated 33,000 lbs. GVW) hybrid truck, Kenworth offers the Class 6 T270 medium-duty hybrid rated at 25,000 lbs. GVW. Manufactured in Ste. Therese, Quebec, the hybrids are gaining acceptance in a variety of applications. In addition to beverage delivery operations, growing interest is seen in lumber, moving company, dump, construction and all types of utility fleets.
The investment in hybrid truck technology by Coca-Cola Enterprises is a critical component in achieving its goal of reducing its overall carbon footprint 15% by the year 2020. Deploying fuel-saving hybrid trucks and tractors across North America is an outstanding demonstration of the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection.
