The Wolfpack Power Pack drinks Coke.

We recently told you about North Carolina's Duke Energy's new research center for plug-in hybrids. Yesterday, Duke Energy announced that the energy company and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated (based in Charlotte) will be working together on research for plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) technology. The partnership won't just be to test vehicles - both companies will convert some hybrids currently in their fleets to PHEVs (Coke will convert three Priuses) - but also to educate the public on what a plug-in hybrid is all about.

This isn't Coke's first foray into greener vehicles. Just a few weeks ago, Eaton announced that Coke had ordered 120 hybrid trucks. Now, if they can find a way to replace all the HFCS with sugar - the old fashioned style - in American Coke, I might drink the stuff more often.

Eaton Corporation has confirmed that Coca-Cola Enterprises has placed the largest single order to date for trucks using the company's hybrid system. Coca-Cola will be purchasing 120 of the hybrid trucks to add to the 20 that they bought last year. Eaton and Coca-Cola have been working together to test the hybrid trucks since 2003. The vehicles in use so far have achieved a thirty-two percent reduction in emissions and thirty-seven percent drop in fuel consumption. Eaton's system is a full parallel hybrid system with regenerative braking capability. The Eaton system also provides electrical power take off capabilities for applications where off-board electrical equipment needs power.

[Source: Eaton]

Coca-Cola Enterprises plans to add 120 hybrid trucks to its fleet in the US over the next year. The company currently uses two hybrids in the Bronx, NY fleet and plans to add another three to the Bronx fleet in December. Coke's president and CEO, John Brock, and New York Major Michael Bloomberg said a few words at the ceremony introducing the five trucks to the Bronx fleet and NY1 has a short video of the event.

Mayor Bloomberg said, "Sustainable business practices will save businesses money in the long run. That's why we're seeing support for converting the taxi fleet to hybrids, major rental companies like Hertz converting their fleets, and it's why a leader in product distribution like Coca-Cola Enterprises has made this commitment."

Mr. Brock said "Coca-Cola Enterprises has long been responsive to the needs of our local communities, and the expansion of our hybrid-electric fleet in the Bronx demonstrates our commitment to Mayor Bloomberg's call for local industries to be proactive in the search for alternative fuel sources."

According to the press release, Coke did intensive research and design with their suppliers to create the International 4300 truck, with Eaton Hybrid Technology. The truck uses a motor/generator, working with the transmission and a 340 volt battery, to get 32 percent increased fuel efficiency and the trucks can drive on electric power only below 30 MPH. The trucks also saves fuel by not idling at stop lights.

Coke is the largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottled and canned liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. The Bronx sales center has 90 trucks servicing 8,700 customers in Manhattan and the Bronx, delivering more than 8 million cases of product annually.

What a great early Christmas gift from Coke. I'd like to buy the world a Coke hybrid truck.

Related:

• Wal-Mart receives its first Peterbilt hybrid big rig
• Toyota's Hino Trucks reportedly bringing hybrid trucks to Australia

[Source: Coke press release, NY1]