Coca Cola Going Hybrid for Delivery Fleet
By John O'Dell November 30, 2007Coca-Cola has begun adding hybrid delivery trucks to its vehicle fleet, the Christian Science Monitor reports, putting one of the new red-and-white trucks on the streets of New York this week.
The truck will be joined by four others just like it by December 31. By the end of next year, Coca-Cola will have 120 hybrid delivery trucks nationwide.The hybrids' greenhouse-gas emissions will be 90 percent less than those from regular trucks, according to their manufacturer, International Truck and Engine Corp. Coca-Cola's transition to hybrid trucks is part of a push by urban delivery companies to cut their greenhouse-gas emissions. FedEx and UPS are also building hybrid fleets in urban areas and Pepsi is testing hybrid delivery trucks.
Companies are willing to pay a 35-40 percent premium for a hybrid over the cost of a normal delivery truck in return for a dramatic increase in fuel economy.
UPS, with one of the largest truck fleets in the nation, has purchased 50 hybrids for short-haul deliveries. It estimates that on an annual basis, it will save 44,000 gallons of fuel and will cut emissions by 457 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Scott Doggett, Contributor
(Photo courtesy JDTyre.com)
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