A new California wine distribution fleet is adding hybrid trucks as part of its ongoing green initiatives – and saving fuel in the process

VinLux Fine Wine Transport is a fairly new fleet, but one with a long history. That may sound contradictory, but here’s how it all came about. Earlier this year, the Jackson Family Estates, the makers of Kendall Jackson wines, approached Biagi Brothers, a nationwide transporter and distribution company, and asked them to participate in a partnership agreement to distribute its wines. The agreement is a 50/50 partnership, which was created to provide the level of distribution Jackson Family Estates was seeking to distribute its wines and those of other local vintners.

While the VinLux fleet is a new venture, its President, Tom Tunt, held the position of fleet distribution manager for Biagi Brothers three years prior to his current position and worked on the development team that created the new fleet. Already the fleet has 37 trucks, 35 of which are Peterbilt Model 335 Class 7 trucks with 16-ft. van bodies –– and two of those trucks are hybrids.

In August, the VinLux fleet took delivery of its first two Peterbilt Hybrid Model 335 production vehicles. These Class 7 trucks use the Easton Hybrid Electric Power System with an electric motor that assists the PACCAR PX-6 engine with supplemental torque for improved fuel economy. The system stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking and then reuses it for acceleration. Fuel use, emissions and noise are greatly reduced.

According to Tunt, “There were two reasons we chose the Peterbilt hybrid vehicles: to continue to demonstrate our commitment to protect the environment and to help us cut down on fuel consumption.” He went on to say that the company has had a good relationship with Peterbilt and, if the vehicles perform well as anticipated, intends to purchase more of its hybrid trucks in the future.

One of the fleet’s “best practices” is being environmentally conscious. VinLux has invested in other programs to show its commitment to protecting the environment. Tunt said the company pays into an energy program through its electricity provider, PGE, which helps that utility reduce its greenhouse gases during generation. “We contribute to this program based on our energy usage, which means we are paying more. We also have insulated our warehouses and installed lighting sensors so lights are turned on and off only when someone comes or leaves a section of the building. In addition, we have purchased a shredder and we recycle the shredded cardboard and other materials. The purchase of the new Peterbilt hybrids dovetails well into our green initiatives.”

While the fleet anticipated a good driver response from the new trucks, they didn’t expect the kind of reaction from the public that they have been receiving. The hybrid trucks are identified with special lettering on the side and back of the van bodies. As a consequence, Tunt says, “Our hybrid truck drivers have reported smiles and ‘thumbs up’ from passers-by, as well as honks and waves of approval. In addition, our customers have responded favorably to our “green trucks.”

Tunt says that the fleet relies on its Peterbilt dealer, Peterbilt of Northern California, which is located in Cotati, Calif. just north of San Francisco, to provide maintenance and service support. It plans to put all of its trucks on a five- to six-year trade-in cycle.

“Sure, the hybrid trucks are more expensive, but there is a great opportunity to recapture those costs and still protect the environment,” says Tunt. “I think it’s a fantastic way to show off our differences and set ourselves apart from our competitors. We are using the hybrid trucks as a sales and marketing tool, to advertise our commitment to being ‘green.’ All of the green initiatives move us in the right direction, and our customers are part of the community that is working together to make a difference.”