The iconic Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is back this year, but with a twist: it is powered by electric trucks from Mercedes-Benz. The tour, which started on November 25 and will end on December 24, will visit 19 locations across Austria, bringing festive cheer and sustainability to the streets.
The eActros: A Zero-Emission Truck for Urban Delivery
The Mercedes-Benz eActros is the electric truck model that Coca-Cola is using for its Christmas tour. It is a zero-emission vehicle that can travel up to 250 kilometers on a single charge, depending on the load and route. The eActros has a payload capacity of 18 tons and a gross vehicle weight of 25 tons. It is equipped with two electric motors that deliver a total output of 400 kW and a maximum torque of 970 Nm. The eActros also features a regenerative braking system that recovers energy when the truck slows down, extending its range and reducing wear and tear.
The eActros is designed for urban delivery and distribution, where short and predictable routes are common. It can operate in various weather conditions and terrains thanks to its intelligent thermal management system that optimizes the performance and efficiency of the battery, the motors, and the heating and cooling systems. The eActros also has a high level of safety and comfort for the driver and the passengers, with a spacious and ergonomic cab, a multimedia cockpit with a touch screen and a digital instrument cluster, and a MirrorCam system that replaces the conventional rear-view mirrors with cameras and displays.
The Partnership Between Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz
Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz have a long-standing partnership that dates back to 1929 when Coca-Cola first used Mercedes-Benz trucks for its deliveries in Germany. Since then, the two companies have collaborated on various projects and initiatives, such as the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Truck Tour in 2017 and the Coca-Cola Journey Truck Tour in 2018, both of which used Mercedes-Benz trucks to promote their products and campaigns.
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is the latest and most innovative collaboration between the two companies, as it showcases their commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz share the vision of creating a circular economy that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency. Both companies have set ambitious goals to reduce their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
By using the eActros for the Christmas tour, Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz are demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of electric mobility for urban delivery and distribution. The eActros not only reduces the air pollution and noise pollution caused by conventional diesel trucks, but also lowers the operating costs and maintenance costs for the fleet owners. The eActros also offers a competitive edge and a positive image for the companies that use it, as it reflects their social responsibility and environmental awareness.
The Future of Electric Mobility and Urban Delivery
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is part of a larger project called the eActros innovation fleet, which involves 20 eActros trucks being tested by various customers in Germany and other European countries since 2018. The project aims to gather feedback and data from the real-world operation of the eActros and to prepare for its series production in 2022. The eActros innovation fleet is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.
The Mercedes-Benz eActros is not the only electric truck model that Mercedes-Benz is developing. The company is also working on the eEconic, a low-entry truck for municipal services, such as waste collection and recycling, and the eActros LongHaul, a long-distance truck for highway transport, which are expected to be launched in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Mercedes-Benz is also investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology as an alternative to battery-electric power for heavy-duty trucks and plans to introduce the GenH2 Truck in the late 2020s.
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is a sign of the growing trend and demand for electric mobility and urban delivery in the trucking industry. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, the global market for electric trucks could reach $120 billion by 2030, and electric trucks could account for 15% of the total truck sales in Europe, 10% in China, and 7% in the United States. The report also identifies the key drivers and barriers to the adoption of electric trucks, such as the regulatory environment, the total cost of ownership, the charging infrastructure, and customer preferences.
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is a milestone and a celebration of the progress and potential of electric mobility and urban delivery. It is also a challenge and an invitation for other companies and stakeholders to join the movement and contribute to the transition to a more sustainable and efficient transport system. As the Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks light up the streets of Austria with their festive decorations and music, they also shine a light on the future of electric mobility and urban delivery. ??
@via Panorica.
