Coke’s Hybrids Help Mitigate Fuel Costs

ATLANTA -- By increasing the number of hybrids in their fleets, Coke and its bottlers are saving hundreds of dollars in fuel costs per vehicle.

by Staff

May 8, 2008

2 min to read

ATLANTA -- Coca-Cola Co. and two of its bottlers are bringing more hybrids into their fleet in an effort to save money on fuel and to contribute to sustainability initiatives, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. About 325 of Coca-Cola’s 800 cars and SUVs are hybrid vehicles, and the company plans to have all 800 vehicles changed to hybrids by the end of next year.

The company’s two largest U.S. bottlers, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Coca-Cola Consolidated, have also increased the number of hybrids in their fleets. Coca-Cola Enterprises has 30 hybrids in its fleet and has added 140 diesel-electric hybrid delivery trucks, said The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coca-Cola Consolidated has 400 hybrids.

Hybrid models used by the companies include the Toyota Prius and the hybrid versions of the Saturn Vue, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape. The companies benefit from having a visible way to show customers they’re taking measures to support the environment.

With gas prices so high, Coke hoped that the new hybrids would cut fuel costs. Coca-Cola Enterprises found that their hybrid trucks cut both emissions and fuel consumption by about a third, said The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coca-Cola Consolidated is benefiting from having hybrids in its fleet but said that high fuel costs are still taking their toll. Coke estimates the hybrid sedans are saving the company about $1,100 a year, and its hybrid SUVs are saving it $800 a year.

Topics:Coca-Cola Fuel Ford Escape Toyota Saturn Gasoline-Electric Hybrids Green Fleet

More Green Fleet

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.