There's something new rolling along the highways of Massachusetts - well more accurately, several new things. This past week, Coca-Cola Enterprises deployed 15 hybrid electric delivery trucks at the Needham Market Service Center, the largest single deployment of hybrid vehicles in the company's history.

The new trucks include 10 hybrid electric tractor trailers, three hybrid electric 12-bay box trucks and two hybrid electric cooler delivery trucks. Not only are the tractors the biggest hybrid electric trucks in North America, they use 30 per cent less fuel and produce 30 per cent few emissions than standard delivery trucks. The vehicles will be used to deliver Coca-Cola products in the metro Boston area. And the company isn't done yet - by the end of 2009, they will deploy a total of 185 electric trucks, bringing their fleet to 327 hybrid delivery trucks, the largest in North America.

“These hybrid trucks are a strong example of how we’re delivering on our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability commitments,” said Steve Cahillane, president, Coca-Cola Enterprises North America.  “We have set aggressive targets and goals related to energy conservation / climate change and water stewardship, and activities like these will help us meet these goals.”

The vehicles aren't the only eco-friendly initiative undertaken by the Needham center. The facility also features energy-efficient lighting that saves more than 1.5 million kilowatts of energy each year, as well as water-saving technologies including condensation pumps and air rinsers, which conserve more than 4.5 million gallons of water on an annual basis.

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles was on-hand this week to introduce the new trucks and believes Coke is setting a good example that demonstrates just how much good a large corporation can do.

“By investing in hybrid technology that decreases tailpipe emissions and reduces our dependence on foreign oil, Coca-Cola Enterprises is distinguishing itself as a clean energy leader,” said Sec. Bowles. “Today's announcement that the company is deploying 15 hybrid trucks is good news for the Commonwealth's environment and for our clean energy goals, and we commend Coca-Cola’s decision to go a step further by committing to the Department of Energy Resources’ Clean Cities application for 20 additional hybrid trucks as part of our proposal to fund over 300 highly efficient vehicles in Massachusetts through the federal stimulus package.”

» Coca Cola (Official Site)