UPS Expands Hybrid Fleet Nationwide

UPS is deploying 200 hybrid diesel-electric delivery trucks in eight cities across the United States, increasing the size of its hybrid electric fleet by 400 percent.

The trucks are expected to reduce fuel consumption by roughly 176,000 gallons a year, and cut 1,786 metric tons of C02 emissions, Bob Stoffel, UPS senior vice president of supply chain, strategy, engineering and sustainability, said in a statement.

"This technology, where properly used, can yield a 35 percent fuel savings, the equivalent of 100 conventional UPS delivery vehicles," Stoffel said.

The latest hybrids combine a small diesel engine and a lithium ion battery pack. The diesel engine is used to recharge the battery pack and provide power when necessary.

The batteries are also recharged through braking. The hybrid powertrain was designed by Eaton. Freightliner and Workhorse Custom Chassis are building the vans.

The trucks will join 50 hybrid vans already in use, UPS said.

UPS operates diesel-electric hybrids in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Louisville, Ky., Houston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, New York and Washington.

(Source: Journal of Commerce)