The move is intended to demonstrate that soft drink payload deliveries are viable using electric HGVs (eHGVs), offering what CCEP describes as a “practical roadmap” for decarbonising the UK soft drinks industry.
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is now operating from CCEP’s Wakefield site, Europe’s largest soft drinks plant, and is undertaking multi-drop deliveries to convenience and wholesale customers as part of a live trial.
Since entering service in January, the vehicle has reportedly travelled more than 7,000 miles, with Maritime Transport and CCEP claiming it has saved an estimated 12.43 tonnes of CO₂e compared with a diesel equivalent.
“We’re continuing to invest across our operations to build a more sustainable and resilient supply chain, with initiatives like this playing an important role in how we deliver against our commitments,” said Nick Hayward, logistics director at CCEP.
“By working with expert partners like Maritime, we can strengthen our capabilities and make meaningful progress towards our long-term sustainability ambitions.”
The initial deployment forms part of a wider planned rollout of 56 electric HGVs across Maritime Transport’s network, with the company continuing to work with CCEP to assess how eHGVs can be scaled more broadly.
The expansion will be supported in part through the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.
CCEP says the live trial marks a new phase in the long-standing partnership between the two companies and will play a key role in its ambitions to reduce value chain emissions through its sustainability action plan.
The initiative also forms part of Maritime’s wider investment in decarbonising road freight through Maritime ZERO, its zero-emission road transport division.
Tom Williams, deputy chief executive of Maritime Transport, added: “This is an exciting next step in our relationship with CCEP. Having worked closely across both road and rail for several years, introducing an eHGV into live service is a natural progression.
“Together, we’re very much focused on reducing emissions across the supply chain through a combination of modal shift, low-emission fuels and the adoption of new vehicle technologies.
He continued: “Having the Mercedes out on the road allows us to assess its performance in real operating conditions, understand where it delivers the greatest value and explore how it can support our wider decarbonisation ambitions over time.”
