Submitted by lindsey on June 25, 2008 - 7:36pm.
Baltimore, MD (June 25, 2008) – Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by State Delegate Curtis Anderson, Councilman Robert Curran and executives from Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) to announce that the company is undertaking energy saving measures in Baltimore, including the introduction of 10 hybrid-electric trucks to their distribution center. Currently, the Baltimore sales center has 65 trucks servicing 6,000 customers in the Baltimore region, delivering more than 14 million cases of product annually. The hybrid-electric trucks use 37 percent less fuel than standard trucks and use technology to reduce emissions when they’re idling or in traffic.
“We are one of the first cities in the country to benefit from Coca-Cola’s hybrid delivery vehicles,” said Mayor Dixon. “The vehicles use roughly one-third less fuel than average delivery trucks, and they reduce emissions when idling or when stopped in traffic. That is a great contribution to the health of our city and citizens.”
“Baltimore Coca-Cola has long been responsive to the needs of our local communities and customers, and the expansion of our hybrid-electric fleet here in Baltimore demonstrates our commitment to Mayor Dixon's call for local businesses to be proactive in the campaign for a cleaner and greener Baltimore,” said Mike Vogel, Baltimore Coca-Cola Sales Center Manager.
Coca-Cola employs more than 450 people in the Baltimore region.
The International 4300 truck, with Eaton Hybrid Technology, meets Baltimore City and Maryland State weight restrictions for use in town and on bridges. By the end of 2008, CCE will have more than 140 12-bay hybrid trucks on the road throughout North America. A motor/generator, working with the transmission and a 340-volt battery, allows the truck to source electrical power instead of gas when traveling at speeds below 30 MPH, reducing emissions in slow traffic.
In 2008, CCE's hybrid fleet will be the largest hybrid-electric delivery fleet in North America with more than 140 hybrid trucks on the road. These trucks are the largest on the road. The model 32000 trucks (12-bay -- currently in use) and the model 55000 trucks (14-bay -- currently in development/testing) are unique to CCE. The model 55000 trucks are up to three times larger than the hybrid trucks used by other delivery companies, including FedEx and UPS.
Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world’s largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottled and canned liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. CCE sells approximately 80% of The Coca-Cola Company’s North American volume, and is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Monaco.
Mayor Dixon is committed to improving the environment through her Cleaner and Greener initiatives. Since April 2007, The City of Baltimore has initiated a number of projects and programs that are already improving the quality of life for residents. The City planted and distributed 5,683 trees in 2007 and also launched two key programs that will continue this progress. First, the City unveiled the Urban Forestry Management Plan: TreeBaltimore, which will double the city’s tree canopy within the next 30 years. More recently, the City launched the 2008 Growing Home Campaign, encouraging homeowners to plant a tree in their front or back yard and providing a $10 coupon to purchase trees from local nurseries.
The City has also worked to enhance Baltimore’s medians and gateways and completed construction on a new 2.75 mile extension to the Jones Falls Trail, running from Druid Hill Park to Clipper Mill. Administratively, Mayor Dixon created the Sustainability Office to ensure the long-term environmental stability of the city and also developed the Environmental Sub-Cabinet to prioritize environmentally friendly practices in all city agencies.
In April 2008, another corporate partner in the Mayor’s initiatives, Yellow Cab, unveiled its first ever Hybrid taxi cab. Mayor Dixon was the first passenger to ride in the hybrid version of this familiar vehicle, which features an interactive touch screen display installed in the rear of the vehicles that will allow passengers to learn about various locations in Baltimore and even make dinner reservations or print movie tickets.
For more information on the Mayor’s Cleaner and Greener initiatives, please visit www.cleanergreenerbaltimore.org.
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