Coca-Cola Enterprises Boosts Commitment to Sustainability with Launch of Largest Hybrid Electric Delivery Trucks in North America

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) ATLANTA, January 16, 2009 - Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg joined Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John F. Brock to announce the deployment of the largest hybrid electric delivery trucks in North America. As part of its overall commitment to energy conservation and climate change, CCE plans to deploy an incremental 185 hybrid electric trucks across the United States and Canada in 2009, bringing their total number of hybrid electric delivery trucks to 327, the largest such fleet in North America.

"I want to commend Coca-Cola Enterprises for receiving this award, and I am proud that this great company relies on Georgia as its home base," said Gov. Perdue. "Their investment in hybrid electric vehicles distinguishes the company amongst its peers and ensures that it remains at the forefront as a true leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability."

Meiburg, who presented CCE with a leadership award on behalf of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative for the company's commitment to hybrid vehicles to reduce diesel emissions, added, "EPA is proud to recognize the efforts of Coca-Cola Enterprises to improve air quality and protect public health. Emissions from diesel engines are a serious public health threat and environmental challenge, and reducing these emissions is a priority for EPA."

"Coca-Cola Enterprises has long been responsive to the needs of our local communities, and the continued expansion of our hybrid electric fleet here in our hometown of Atlanta and across North America demonstrates our commitment to energy efficiency and climate change," said Brock. "With the deployment of our newer, larger hybrid delivery vehicles, CCE is continuing to explore ways to help our customers and communities through our corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts. These efforts help us capture operational efficiencies, drive innovation and effectiveness, and eliminate waste while simultaneously protecting the environment."

CCE has established five corporate responsibility and sustainability strategic focus areas, three of which - energy conservation/climate change, water stewardship, and sustainable packaging/recycling - are related to the environment. In addition to the hybrid electric delivery trucks on the road in Atlanta and across North America, CCE facilities are focusing on becoming more sustainable with the activation of its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Recycling, which is focused on developing recycling solutions for its business and communities, and the installation of water-saving technology and energy-efficient lighting in its facilities. Just last week, CCE earned the Orion Energy Systems Environmental Stewardship Award for its commitment to energy conservation and climate change in California.

The company has 142 hybrid electric delivery vehicles on the road, the majority of which are 12-bay box trucks (33000 gross vehicle weight). This is the largest heavy duty fleet in North America. Today, the company launched a new, larger hybrid electric tractor (55000 gross combination vehicle), which is the standard bulk delivery truck the company uses for large deliveries. The hybrid tractor uses about 30 percent less fuel and produces about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard tractors. A motor/generator, working with the transmission and a series of lithium ion batteries, allows the truck to source electrical power instead of gas when traveling at speeds below 30 MPH, reducing emissions and fuel use. The tractor builds on the success CCE has had with their fleet of hybrid electric 12-bay trucks and marries hybrid technology from Eaton Corporation with state-of-the-art equipment from key suppliers, Kenworth Corporation and Cummins Engines.

Beginning in 2001, CCE began an intensive research and design program with their suppliers to develop, test and produce hybrid electric trucks. By the end of 2008, CCE had deployed 142 hybrid electric trucks, in cities like Atlanta; Baltimore; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Toronto; Vancouver; and Washington, DC. In 2009, the company plans to deploy the larger hybrid tractors to: Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Portland; San Francisco; Seattle; Tampa; Toronto; Vancouver; and Washington, DC. Additionally, the company plans to deploy incremental hybrid 12-bay trucks to Albuquerque; Columbus; Jacksonville; Las Vegas; and Montreal.

At Coca-Cola Enterprises, corporate responsibility and sustainability is about improving overall business performance while meeting the expectations of employees, customers, investors, communities, and other stakeholders. Through the company's five strategic focus areas of water stewardship, sustainable packaging/recycling, energy conservation/climate change, product portfolio/well-being, and diverse and inclusive culture, corporate responsibility and sustainability is where CCE's business touches the world and where the world touches CCE's business.

For more information on CCE's corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts, please visit www.cokecce.com.