Beverage World - October 15, 2007 - (Page 62)

DISTRIBUTION GREEN FLEET BRIEFS Making Green Easier FLEET BEAT Evaluating Hybrids by bob deierlein S Distribution Editor Bob Deierlein has written about rig-related rumblings since 1974. Having previously run a 7,000-vehicle fleet, he has received a Silver Spark Plug from The Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations and a Jesse H. Neal Award for excellence in reporting. Tel: 914.946.1297 62_BEVERAGE WORLD_OCTOBER 2007 » helby Green is responsible for managing more than 28,000 pieces of equipment, half of which are power units on the road, for the Pepsi Bottling Group. With a task of this magnitude, Green believes it is important to stay on top of the latest developments in commercial vehicle technology. This aspiration, in part, recently prompted the veteran fleet manager to take delivery of a new medium-duty truck with an Eaton Hybrid Power System. “Hybrid vehicles are a hot topic right now,” says Green. “So we wanted to get a first-hand look at what the technology can do for us. We also wanted to see what kind of improvements a hybrid truck might give us when we benchmarked it along one of our vehicles with traditional power systems.” About two months into his evaluation, Green says he has been “pleasantly surprised with the fuel efficiency results to date.” He cited improvements of roughly 35 to 45 percent, which is somewhat better than the 30 percent he was told by Eaton to expect. The vehicle, a 2006 International straight truck with a 22-foot van, is being used to make intercity pick-ups and deliveries of coolers, vending machines, soda fountains and other marketing equipment to PBG retailers in the Fresno, Calif., USA, metropolitan area. It sees limited on-highway service, he says, while making several stops every day within a relatively flat, urban setting. His early review: “So far it has been performing well, and our supervisor in Fresno has reported no issues at all with the trucks. Nor has he reported any issues with the drivers who are operating it.” Eaton employs a parallel-type, diesel-electric system with its Fuller UltraShift automated transmission. The system incorporates an electric motor/generator between the output of an automated clutch and input of the transmission. The system recovers energy normally lost during braking and stores the energy in batteries. When electric torque is blended with engine torque, the stored energy is used to improve fuel economy and vehicle performance for a given speed or operate on electric power only. That results in energy being provided for use during engine-off worksite operations. The applications are delivering significant fuel economy gains and pollution reductions. Coca-Cola Enterprises also has been testing an International with the hybrid Eaton system since last year and has experienced significant advantages. David Leisure from CCE says, “It has provided substantial savings in diesel fuel. Our longest running unit has provided a 37 percent improvement in fuel economy. The truck can operate at low speeds on battery power instead of using only the engine, which results in less fuel consumed, less emissions released into the air and reduced noise in the neighborhood where we work.” BW One initiative to help fleets reduce pollution and save fuel is called SmartWay Transport Truck Loans. It is using Small Business Administration lending programs to help small trucking operations. They offer affordable monthly payment plans for purchasing technology bundles called SmartWay Upgrade Kits, which include idle-control technologies and aerodynamic devices. Participating lenders offer a rapid approval process and don’t require collateral. epa.gov/smartway/financing.htm PETERBILT will offer the Models 330 (above) and 335 in a hybrid electric configuration. Peterbilt Unveils New Medium-Duty Hybrid Peterbilt Motors Co. planned to showcase a new medium-duty truck at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum held in September in Seattle. Peterbilt’s parent company, PACCAR Inc, hosted the forum, which brought together the trucking industry’s leaders in hybrid technology. The Model 335 hybrid electric combines a PACCAR PX-6 engine (260HP, 560 ft-lbs torque) with Eaton Corp.’s Hybrid Electric Drive System. With the hybrid system engaged, horsepower increases to 300 and torque to 860 ft-lbs. This configuration suits stop-and-go use, such as urban pick-up and delivery. Says Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president, “Our medium-duty hybrid vehicles currently in operation throughout North America are performing extremely well, with customers reporting a significant savings in fuel economy of up to 40 percent.” peterbilt.com BEVERAGEWORLD.COM http://epa.gov/smartway/financing.htm http://peterbilt.com http://www.beverageworld.com/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Beverage World - October 15, 2007

Beverage World - October 15, 2007 Table of Contents Global Recycling Trends Editor’s Note CCE’s Recycling Initiative New Beverages: VeeV New Beverage Roundup Market Metrics: Green-Minded Consumers Cover Story: Earth’s Brewer Adina World Beat Beverages • Fetzer Vineyards Kim Jeffery, Nestlé Waters North America Sambazon Icelandic Water Holdings John Compton, PepsiCo North America Dennis Puffer, Coors Brewing Co. ITO EN Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. • Cuca Fresca Exports Jeff Seabright, The Coca-Cola Company Mendocino Wine Co. Doug Muhleman, Anheuser-Busch Seth Goldman, Honest Tea Supply Chain: Waste Management Production: Environmental Operations Operations Observations Packaging: Lightweight Bottles Trendspotting R&D: Eco Beverages • Ask the Expert Sales & Marketing: Green POS Materials Distribution: Green Fleets Distribution: Fleet of the Month: Manhattan Beer Distributors FleetBeat The Beverage World Top 100 Classifieds Ad Index

Beverage World - October 15, 2007

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