French hybrid supermarket delivery vehicles for less CO2 emissions

The French supermarket group Casino is implementing “Citygreen”, a plan to cut its CO₂emissions by 20% by 2020. The plan also involves quieter urban deliveries.

As part of the plan, 50 hybrid diesel/electric refrigerated vehicles are to be launched by 2015 could allow 15-20% cuts in CO₂ emissions, i.e. 23 tonnes CO₂ per vehicle per annum. Their cooling is provided thanks to the aspersion of liquid nitrogen, which is virtually silent and CO₂ free (the vehicles should also comply with the Dutch PIEK standard which limits sound levels to 60 dB at a distance of seven metres, the equivalent of a conversation between two people).

The vehicles also use aluminium pallets which are more resistant and stable than wooden pallets at similar weights and facilitate stowage and handling.