Many trucking and logistics firms believe that without drastic changes in their energy demands, the costs of fuel and inefficiency could drive them out of business. In the United States, the largest of the long-haul trucks make up 41 percent of the heavy- and medium-truck fleet but account for 78 percent of the fuel consumed by those fleets. These trucks have an average fuel economy of 7.9 to 9.5 miles per gallon - even less when pulling a heavy load. The medium-duty delivery trucks found mostly in urban corridors gulp as much as 8 billion gallons per year.

Companies such as Coca-Cola, Staples, Frito-Lay, UPS and FedEx have put electric and hybrid-electric trucks through their paces. Coca-Cola's fleet of 750 hybrid-electric trucks reduces emissions by approximately 30 percent and use roughly 30 percent less fuel than standard delivery trucks. This is not insignificant, but these trucks only make up roughly 7 percent of the beverage giant's total fleet.

That means in many ways the work is just beginning. Where does the process start?

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Keywords: transportation management, logistics management, logistics & supply chain, green supply chains, sustainable supply chains