Coca-Cola Enterprises last week announced the deployment of the largest hybrid electric delivery trucks in North America.


As part of its overall commitment to energy conservation and climate change, Atlanta-based CCE plans to deploy another 185 hybrid electric trucks across the United States and Canada in 2009, bringing its total number of hybrid electric delivery trucks to 327.

The company has 142 hybrid electric delivery vehicles on the road, the majority of which are 12-bay box trucks (33,000 pounds gross vehicle weight). With last week's announcement, the company launched a new, larger hybrid electric tractor (55,000-pound gross combination vehicle), which is the standard bulk delivery truck the company uses for large deliveries.

The hybrid tractor uses about 30 percent less fuel and produces about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard tractors. A motor/generator, working with the transmission and a series of lithium ion batteries, allows the truck to source electrical power instead of gas when traveling at speeds below 30 mph, reducing emissions and fuel use. The tractor builds on the success CCE has had with its fleet of hybrid electric 12-bay trucks and marries hybrid technology from Eaton Corporation with state-of-the-art equipment from Kenworth and Cummins.

Beginning in 2001, CCE began an intensive research and design program with its suppliers to develop, test and produce hybrid electric trucks. By the end of 2008, CCE had deployed 142 hybrid electric trucks in cities across North America.

CCE has established five corporate responsibility and sustainability strategic focus areas, three of which - energy conservation/climate change, water stewardship, and sustainable packaging/recycling - are related to the environment. In addition to the hybrid electric delivery trucks on the road in Atlanta and across North America, CCE facilities are focusing on becoming more sustainable with the activation of its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Recycling, which is focused on developing recycling solutions for its business and communities, and the installation of water-saving technology and energy-efficient lighting in its facilities.