Coca-Cola is converting all of its newly purchased 2014 Chevrolet Express service vans to the XL Hybrids’ hybrid-electric powertrain.
Coca-Cola currently operates the largest heavy-duty hybrid-electric delivery fleet in North America, XL Hybrids said. Coca-Cola is converting 100 vans.
“Adoption of this hybrid technology supports Coca-Cola’s goal to reduce the carbon footprint embedded in ‘the drink in your hand’ by 25% by 2020,” said Bruce Karas, vice president of environment and sustainability for Coca-Cola. “We continue to make energy-saving investments because they are good for business, good for the communities we serve and good for the planet.”
Testing of the technology showed a 15-20% fuel reduction compared to the company’s conventional vans. The 100 new hybrid vans are expected to eliminate about 4,000 total tons of carbon dioxide emissions that conventional vans would produce over their 10-year life span.
“XL Hybrids provides technology that helps Coca-Cola meet its emissions reduction goals while saving money,” said Justin Ashton, vice president of Business development and co-founder at XL Hybrids. “Our company’s goal is to accelerate fuel and emissions reductions at a large scale. To accomplish this, we had to design and commercialize technology that provides a solid economic return on investment to corporate customers.”
