Living Green

Part of Coca-Cola's bright red truck fleet is about to go green, at least from a technology standpoint.

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Coke's largest bottler, has agreed to buy 120 trucks this year using a diesel-electric hybrid system developed by Eaton Corp., a Cleveland-based firm, the companies announced Wednesday at the Work Truck Show in downtown Atlanta.

Coca Cola Enterprises and Kenworth Truck Company (ENLARGE)

Coca Cola has ordered 120 hybrid trucks.

The hybrid Coke trucks will be Eaton's single largest order.

"It really, in that regard, represents a turning point in terms of this technology and the ability for us to really impact the environment and society as a whole with the technology," said Dimitri Kazarinoff, general manager of emerging technologies and business development for Eaton's truck group.

CCE and Eaton have been working together on hybrid trucks since 2003. CCE bought 20 trucks last year, but the program was still in a test phrase. The results showed a 32 percent reduction in emissions and a 37 percent decrease in fuel consumption. The bottler has 55,000 vehicles of all types in its fleet.

CCE drivers liked the way the hybrid trucks handled.

"In addition to the environmentally friendly advantages that hybrid vehicles deliver, we are also happy to report that driver acceptance has been highly favorable, especially in high start-and-stop applications," said Dave Leasure, CCE corporate director of fleet procurement, in a statement.

Delivery trucks offer promise for the technology because hybrids work best in stop-and-go driving. The Eaton system, which uses both a diesel engine and electric motor, charges the electric battery when the vehicle is braking. The electric motor provides the most help when the truck is accelerating.

"I would see that as potential for more business in the future, particularly with Coke," Kazarinoff said.