Coca-Cola Kwanza, a Tanzanian subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, is switching its fleet to natural gas. The company has received its first CNG-powered truck from Scania Tanzania Ltd to help it transition to a more economical, low-emission, sustainable transport system.
Driving on CNG, according to Scania, reduces cost by 12% per month when operating 85,000 km per year, and the locally available natural gas is also 20% less expensive. Also, the price level is more stable compared to imported diesel.
“Our gas engines have been continuously improved through generations, today providing a high torque and performance, as well as improved fuel consumption compared to the currently sold Eu3 diesel,” said Eliavera Timoth, Scania Tanzania, Business Development Manager and added that the truck conforms to the cleanest emission norm available, Euro 6, operating on optional gas or biogas.
Coca-Cola Kwanza already completed a pilot project to test the truck and, according to this study, the company is expected to reduce 27% of their operational costs on every trip, explained Haji Mzee, logistics director for Coca-Cola Kwanza.
There are only two CNG stations located at Ubungo and Tazara. That is why Coca-Cola Kwanza called for the government to speed up the construction of the refueling infrastructure to also convince other companies to abandon the use of conventional fuels and turn to cleaner alternatives. “We use our industry leadership to be part of building a more sustainable future for our planet,” said Mzee. “People matter. Our planet matters. Profitability is important, but not at any cost.”
In what could be described as a breath of fresh air, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) said four weeks ago that it had issued the green light to 20 companies to construct CNG stations.
