Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) will use 30 electric trucks to make long-distance deliveries to local customers in Belgium. The first five fleets will operate in the Antwerp region.
Through a major partnership with Renault Trucks, the beverage maker uses one-fifth of its truck fleet and creates Belgium’s largest electric truck. The company will also reduce CO2 emissions by 75% compared to diesel trucks.
“Our industry faces challenges that require rapid adaptation, but we are also firmly committed to maintaining a long-term approach. Investing in electric trucks will enable CCEP to cut CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and be emission free by 2040,” said VP & Country Director of CCEP for Belgium and Luxembourg, An Vermeulen.
The first five Renault E-tech D and D Wide Trucks will be launched in the Antwerp region November 24, 2022, and more trucks will arrive in the coming months at production and distribution sites in Ghent and Chaudfontaine in Belgium.
“Most of our deliveries are very local, to supermarkets and businesses near our locations, with an average route of 150 km per day. This is one example of our efforts to take a long-term and sustainable approach at the local level in Belgium,” he said.
Coca-Cola, said Vermeulen, chose a configuration that would allow the Renault Trucks electric vehicle to travel 200 km each day, which is more than enough for 40% of CCEP’s current local delivery routes.
“Each truck has an on-site charging station to fully charge the battery overnight. This charging station is powered by 100% environmentally friendly energy generated at our place,” he said.
“The 30 electric trucks launched this year are just the first step for CCEP. We will continue to take steps to decarbonize our fleet through 2030 while studying market developments to determine the future of our fleet by considering parameters such as longer driving distances, autonomous vehicles and heavier payloads,” he added.
Renault Trucks Belux Managing Director Siegfried Van Brabandt said Coca-Cola worked closely with Renault Trucks to select the right truck and create the best loading conditions for this local use.
“We carefully analyzed Coca-Cola’s logistics data, generated realistic route simulations, conducted tests in real conditions, observed energy consumption and driver comfort and safety,” said Siegfried.
The trucks, continued Siegfried, are also equipped with a 360 camera system to eliminate blind spots, loudspeakers to warn pedestrians and cyclists, and clear doors for optimal visibility on the passenger side.
