WASHINGTON – Global shipping giant FedEx, along with Environmental Defense and the Eaton Corporation, has unveiled a low-emission, hybrid electric powered delivery vehicle that could become a standard medium-duty delivery truck for the FedEx Express fleet.
Company officials say the FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicle will decrease particulate emissions by 90 percent, reduce smog-causing emissions by 75 percent and increase fuel efficiency by 50 percent.
“FedEx Express is proud to be the first company to make a long-term market commitment to develop and utilize hybrid electric delivery trucks,” said David Bronczek, president of FedEx Express.
“This hybrid electric truck demonstrates that technology is available now to begin to achieve environmental goals and meet our operational requirements,” he said.
Development. The hybrid electric powertrain for the vehicle was designed and produced by Eaton Corporation, which will provide FedEx Express 20 hybrid electric diesel delivery trucks.
Later this year and into early 2004, these 20 vehicles will begin operation in four yet-to-be-named U.S. cities.
These hybrid electric vehicles will endure real-world FedEx operating conditions to verify and prove their viability in commercial applications, according to the company.
Environmental Defense now challenges other companies to step up to the plate and meet the green standard set by FedEx.
Meeting goals. As the trucks succeed in meeting project goals, FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric trucks will be placed in the company’s pick up and delivery fleet as early as Fall 2004.
FedEx Express expects to purchase hybrid electric vehicles on the company’s normal purchasing schedule for routes in the U.S. and Canada, where medium-sized delivery trucks are used and the company says the program has the potential to replace the company’s 30,000 medium duty trucks over the next 10 years.
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