Coca-Cola Bottling Company Joins with Duke Energy to Test Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology |
| Duke Energy logo. (PRNewsFoto/Duke Energy) (Newscom TagID: prnphotos056159)
CHARLOTTE, NC UNITED STATES | |||
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duke Energy (NYSE:
DUK) and Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated have launched a joint
research initiative to promote plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) technology.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO )
"Through this collaboration, we hope to increase the awareness of
plug-in hybrids, demonstrate the viability of the technology, and evaluate
performance parameters," said Mike Rowand, director of advanced customer
technology for Duke Energy.
As part of this initiative, both companies will convert some of the
hybrid vehicles in their transportation fleets to plug-in hybrids by using
aftermarket kits.
A PHEV kit extends the efficiency of a standard hybrid vehicle by
increasing the size of its battery, which can be charged through a normal
120- volt electric outlet. PHEV technology has enabled vehicles to travel
100 miles or more on a gallon of gas.
"We believe plug-in hybrid technology could play an important role in
further reducing our fleet costs while addressing environmental concerns,"
said Lauren C.
Steele, vice president of corporate affairs for Coca-Cola Consolidated.
"We are excited about participating in this pilot program."
Charlotte-based Coca-Cola Consolidated currently operates more than 400
hybrid vehicles, one of the nation's largest corporate hybrid fleets, and
plans to convert three Toyota Prius hybrids into PHEVs.
"Plug-in hybrid technology offers real advantages in a number of
areas," Rowand said. "In addition to higher mileage in the face of rising
gasoline prices, plug-in hybrids produce much lower emissions and can help
our nation achieve greater energy security while providing the overall
performance drivers expect.
"This is really just the start for what we hope will be the broader use
of plug-in hybrids," he added. "Through this collaboration with Coca-Cola
and other Duke Energy initiatives, there will be more than a dozen plug-in
hybrids operating in the Charlotte region in early 2008.
"As more people begin to see the advantages of plug-in hybrids, we
believe market demand will increase, which will encourage automakers to
move forward with their plans to produce plug-in hybrids commercially,"
added Rowand.
Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power companies in the United
States, supplies and delivers energy to approximately 4 million U.S.
customers. The company has approximately 36,000 megawatts of electric
generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas, and natural gas
distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition, Duke Energy has
more than 4,000 megawatts of electric generation in Latin America, and is a
joint- venture partner in a U.S. real estate company. Headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the
company is available on the Internet at: http://www.duke-energy.com.
Duke Energy Andy Thompson
CONTACT 704-382-8336
24-Hour 704-382-8333
Coca-Cola Lauren Steele
CONTACT 704-557-4551
SOURCE Duke Energy
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Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Andy Thompson, Duke Energy, +1-704-382-8336
or 24-Hour, +1-704-382-8333; or Lauren Steele, Coca-Cola
+1-704-557-4551
