FedEx trials diesel-electric hybrids in Italy

FedEx is trialling 10 Iveco diesel-electric hybrid Daily vans in its Italian operation. Iveco claims the vans offer a 30 pct cut in fuel use and CO2 emissions over a standard diesel model, through a number of systems such as Stop & Start and regenerative braking.

Paolo Monferino, Iveco’s CEO, says: “We are committed to the development of this technology and the next step is to make it affordable for our customers. In order to meet customer demand, Iveco will
will introduce hybrid power train technology in our vehicle production facilities by the end of 2009.” The vehicles will be used on routes between Milan and Turin, but FedEx will test more of the vehicles in its Paris operation.