Coca-Cola cuts its footprint and costs with hybrid trucks

Star Tribune

Last update: June 25, 2008 - 12:18 AM

The Midwest Coca-Cola Bottling Co. announced Tuesday in Eagan the addition of 10 hybrid trucks to deliver its bottled products.

According to Kevin Morris, a spokesman for the bottler, the hybrids are expected to begin delivering within two weeks and the company plans to eventually add more of the 12-bay, 24-foot-long trucks capable of holding 15,000 bottles and cans to its fleet of 104 trucks.

Morris said "the trucks should decrease emissions by 37 percent and increase fuel efficiency by 32 percent."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty helped carry cases of bottles to an Eagan distributor in the first delivery by the fleet's new vehicles.

Morris said Coca-Cola Enterprises plans to have more than 140 hybrid delivery vehicles throughout North America by August. It has a fleet of about 200,000 diesel vehicles.

Coca-Cola and other soft-drink companies have been under fire recently for the environmental effects of their bottled products, in particular water bottles.

According to Morris, Midwest Coca-Cola Bottling has spent more than $20 million to reduce its mark on the environment and bottles require 33 percent less material to produce today than they did 20 years ago.

RODRIGO ZAMITH