FedEx Express debuts hybrid electric truck
FedEx Express on Tuesday introduced a low-emission, hybrid electric-powered delivery vehicle that could become a standard medium-duty delivery truck for the carrier.
The new vehicle will decrease particulate emissions by 90 percent, reduce smog-causing emissions by 75 percent and increase fuel efficiency by 50 percent, according to FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp.
FedEx has agreed to purchase 20 hybrid electric diesel delivery trucks using hybrid electric powertrains produced by Eaton. The new vehicles will go into operation later this year and early next year in four yet-to-be-named U.S. cities.
FedEx said it may buy as many as 30,000 medium-duty hybrid trucks over the next 10 years.
“With expanded industry use and needed government support through tax incentives in this stage of commercial development and necessary industry adoption, we believe this technology can be brought rapidly to market,” said Jim Sweetnam, senior vice president and group executive for Eaton’s Truck Group.
Tuesday’s unveiling of the hybrid electric truck comes in the third year of a four-year project between FedEx Express and Environmental Defense, a private, nonprofit group, to create a delivery truck that will dramatically decrease emissions and fuel use. While the two organizations began working together in 2000, manufacturers were invited in 2001 to submit proposals to design and develop an environmentally progressive commercial delivery vehicle. Through a competitive process, Eaton was selected from more than 20 manufacturers that expressed interest.
The FedEx announcement came one day after United Parcel Service said it will begin testing package delivery vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells late this year.
