Coca-Cola Enterprises is more than doubling the size of its hybrid-electric delivery fleet and will have 327 green trucks on the road in the U.S. and Canada, according to GreenBiz.
The firm announced the expansion of its fleet Jan. 16. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said in a statement that Coca-Cola Enterprises' "investment in hybrid electric vehicles distinguishes the company amongst its peers and ensures that it remains at the forefront as a true leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability."
In a ceremony that took place in Atlanta, EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg presented Coca-Cola Enterprises Chairman and CEO John F. Brock with an award on behalf of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative to recognize Coca-Cola Enterprises' efforts to make its fleet more environmentally friendly.
The company announced its plan to add 185 hybrid electric trucks and added that it is also launching a new vehicle that is larger than those in its existing fleet of heavy duty hybrids.
The majority of the company's existing 142 hybrid vehicles are 12-bay box trucks with a 33,000-lb. gross vehicle weight. With a gross combination vehicle weight of 55,000, the new hybrid-electric tractors are comparable to standard bulk delivery trucks used by the company. But the jumbo hybrids use 30 percent less fuel and produce about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard tractors, the company said.
The tractors were developed by the Eaton Corp. and Kenworth Truck Co., which worked with Coca Cola Enterprises on its earlier hybrid vehicles, and Cummins Engine Co.
Coca Cola Enterprises said a single new tractor costs about $98,000, roughly $33,000 more than the standard vehicle.
