The prototype of the Iveco Eurocargo Hybrid truck – not yet available for sale – was tested for three weeks on the streets of Turin. The Eurocargo Hybrid allows for a 30% fuel saving compared to a traditional vehicle used in urban conditions. The consequence is a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. During the tests in Turin, every kilometer of this innovative vehicle was monitored by a team of Iveco engineers, and the vehicle’s performance was recorded by “black boxes” installed inside. TNT is satisfied with the results.
The tests are part of TNT’s proprietary “Planet Me” eco-program, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions, among other things, by replacing diesel-powered trucks with electric vehicles. Developing alternative propulsion systems in cooperation with car manufacturers is one of the key assumptions of the program.
Today, TNT already owns a fleet of over 100 electric trucks. These vehicles are used in the company’s operations on three continents: Europe, Asia, and Australia. A significant part of TNT’s “green fleet” consists of 7.5-ton battery-powered Newton trucks. TNT is gradually replacing diesel vehicles with them in the UK. According to TNT data, this will prevent the emission of 1,299,000 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere. In Turkey, the company has added a Honda model with a hybrid engine to its fleet. In Australia, hybrid vehicles have been introduced which – compared to diesel-powered cars – emit up to 14 percent less CO2 and 50 percent less nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere. In other countries, including the Netherlands, India, and Germany, the company is testing vehicles powered by biofuels, biogas, and hydrogen.
TNT’s efforts have been recognized by experts, who awarded the company first place in the 2008 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) – a global ranking of management efficiency covering the world’s leading corporations based on a sustainable development model. The company received high marks in all categories, including environmental management.