Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and generosity. But it is also a time of increased consumption, waste, and emissions. According to a study by the University of Manchester, the UK alone produces 650 kg of carbon dioxide per person during the festive season. That’s equivalent to driving a car for 1,500 miles!

Fortunately, some companies are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and make Christmas more sustainable. One of them is Coca-Cola, the iconic beverage brand that has been spreading holiday cheer for decades with its famous Christmas truck tour.

This year, Coca-Cola is partnering with Mercedes-Benz Trucks to use the eActros, an innovative electric truck, to power its Christmas convoy across Austria. The eActros is a zero-emission vehicle that can travel up to 200 km on a single charge. It is also equipped with advanced safety and assistance systems, such as Active Brake Assist 5, Sideguard Assist, and a fire detection and alarm system.

By using the eActros, Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz are demonstrating their commitment to eMobility, the concept of using electric vehicles for transportation and logistics. eMobility is not only good for the planet, but also for the people and the economy. It can help reduce air pollution, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as lower fuel and maintenance costs, create new jobs, and improve public health.

The History of the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour

The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is a beloved tradition that dates back to 1995, when the company launched its first “Holidays are Coming” TV campaign. The campaign featured a fleet of red trucks adorned with lights and the image of Santa Claus, driving through a snowy landscape and bringing happiness to everyone they met.

The TV ad was so popular that Coca-Cola decided to bring it to life and create a real truck tour that would visit different cities and towns every year. The truck tour became a global phenomenon, reaching millions of people in over 40 countries.

The truck tour is more than just a spectacle. It is also a way for Coca-Cola to connect with its customers and communities and to support various causes and charities. For example, in 2017, Coca-Cola donated 10p for every can recycled at the truck tour stops to the homelessness charity Crisis. In 2018, Coca-Cola partnered with FareShare, a food redistribution organization, to provide 50,000 meals to people in need.

The Benefits of the Mercedes-Benz eActros

The Mercedes-Benz eActros is a groundbreaking electric truck that was launched in 2018 as part of the company’s eActros innovation fleet. The eActros is designed for urban and regional distribution and can carry up to 18 or 25 tonnes of cargo, depending on the model.

The eActros has many advantages over conventional diesel trucks, such as:

• It is environmentally friendly, as it does not emit any carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or particulate matter.
• It is energy efficient, as it can recover energy from braking and use it to recharge the battery.
• It is cost-effective, as it has lower operating and maintenance expenses and can benefit from tax incentives and subsidies.
• It is user-friendly, as it has a spacious and comfortable cab, a digital interface, and a low noise level.
• It is future-ready, as it can be integrated with smart technologies, such as connectivity, automation, and data analytics.

The eActros is currently being tested by various customers in Europe, who are using it for their daily operations and providing feedback to Mercedes-Benz. The company plans to start the series production of the eActros in 2022.

The Future of eMobility and Sustainability

The collaboration between Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz is a sign of the growing trend of eMobility and sustainability in the transportation and logistics sector. More and more companies are realizing the benefits of switching to electric vehicles and are investing in the infrastructure and innovation needed to make it happen.

According to a report by BloombergNEF, electric vehicles will account for 58% of new car sales and 31% of the global car fleet by 2040. The report also predicts that electric buses, vans, and trucks will have a significant market share, especially in urban areas where air quality and noise regulations are stricter.

However, eMobility is not the only solution for a greener and more sustainable future. It is also important to adopt other measures, such as:

• Reducing the demand for transportation by promoting local and seasonal products, teleworking, and online services.
• Improving the efficiency of transportation by optimizing routes, loads, and speeds and using digital platforms and tools.
• Increasing the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, to power electric vehicles and charging stations.
• Encouraging the circular economy, which involves reusing, repairing, and recycling materials and products and minimizing waste and emissions.

By combining eMobility with these other strategies, we can make Christmas and every other day of the year more eco-friendly and enjoyable for everyone.

Conclusion

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate with our loved ones, but it is also a time to be mindful of our impact on the environment and society. By using the eActros, Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz are showing us how we can make Christmas more magical and more sustainable at the same time.

The eActros is a state-of-the-art electric truck that offers many benefits for the planet, the people, and the economy. It is part of the eMobility movement, which aims to transform the transportation and logistics sector with electric vehicles and smart technologies.

eMobility is not the only way to make Christmas greener, though. We can also reduce our consumption, improve our efficiency, use renewable energy, and embrace the circular economy. By doing so, we can ensure that we have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. @via Panorica.