UPS tests out plastic trucks in bid to boost fuel efficiency
UPS is now testing five new delivery vehicles made using plastic bodywork, which it hopes could help pave the way towards a more fuel-efficient fleet. The company has taken on vehicles from suppliers Utilimaster and Isuzu that use lightweight composite materials in their bodywork in order to cut down on weight, thereby improving mileage.
Although the CV-23 Prototype trucks still run on diesel, they use smaller engines than conventional alternatives. The “traditionally fueled, alternative design” 150-horsepower vehicles use an Isuzu four-cylinder diesel engine and six-speed Aisin transmission.
The plastic bodywork is also designed to be easily replaced, while other environmental features include low-energy LED lights.
UPS said the vehicles are about 1,000 pounds lighter than its P70 diesel package car, with a slightly reduced cargo space of 630 cubic feet compared to the P70’s 700 cubic feet.
The company is planning to test the vehicles across the US, on the “harshest routes” in its network from now until December 2011. This will include exposure to the back roads of Nebraska, the harsh winders of New York, the extreme heat of the Arizona desert, urban routes around Isuzu’s home base in Michigan and routes close to UPS headquarters in Georgia.
The testing aims to see whether the CV-23 can stand up to the rigors of UPS’ daily deliver routes while achieving a 40% increase in fuel efficiency compared to the P70 vehicle.
UPS now has 1,900 alternative fuel vehicles, though spokesman Michael French said there isn’t an answer yet for high-mile routes.
“Maybe the venerable diesel engine can be re-engineered to sip less fuel and lose a little weight,” he said.
