FedEx expands its hybrid vehicles fleet
Last updated 7/28/2009 1:03:48 PM
FedEx expands its hybrid vehicles fleet
Global transportation and business services company FedEx Corp. has added 92 hybrid-electric trucks to its delivery fleet, the first standard FedEx delivery trucks converted to hybrid-electric systems.
The conversion program reduces pollution and prolongs the life of the vehicles, helping to eliminate waste production and creating a reduce-and-reuse program.
The new addition sees the fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles grow from 172 to 264. The fleet has logged more than four million miles of revenue service since being introduced in 2004, reducing fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 279 cars from the road annually.
The standard FedEx trucks used in the retrofit program were 2000 or 2001 models with 300,000 to 500,000 miles driven. In converting the standard delivery vehicles, the power-train equipment, including the engine, transmission, fuel tank and drive shaft, were replaced with a 2007 Cummins ISB 200 hp engine and Eaton hybrid-electric system. Costs were reduced by utilizing the existing chassis and body.
The vehicles feature a diesel engine coupled with an electric motor/generator and lithium-ion batteries. These batteries capture and store energy during the regenerative braking phase of vehicle operation, eliminating the need to plug into an electrical source. The sophisticated hybrid controller selects the most efficient mode of operation "diesel or electric" depending upon current operating conditions and driver demand.
John Formisano, vice president, global vehicles, FedEx Express said: "FedEx and our suppliers have demonstrated that converted hybrids are a viable, lower-cost option compared to purchasing new hybrids. We now need government incentives to end a Catch-22 situation: Production volumes are low due to high cost, and costs will only come down with higher production volumes".
Mitch Jackson, director of environmental affairs and sustainability, FedEx Corp added: "We are eager for additional government and industry support to find more affordable options for hybrid trucks, so that we may adopt them into our fleet at a faster pace."
The retrofit hybrid trucks are projected to improve fuel economy by 44%, decrease particulate matter by 96% and reduce smog-causing (NOx) emissions by 75% compared to the standard FedEx Express delivery truck.
The 92 retrofitted hybrid vehicles will be placed into service in California, primarily in the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco metropolitan areas.
The following steps have been taken to increase vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in the fleet:
- Since 2005, FedEx has been rebalancing its fleet with smaller, more fuel efficient sprinter vans and optimising routes. As a result of these efforts, FedEx Express has saved 45 million gallons of fuel or 452,573 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
- FedEx Ground is testing hybrid hydraulic technology with Parker Hannifin Corporation and FCCC on a heavier-class vehicle (Class 6).
- In London, FedEx operates liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sprinter vans, which reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12%. FedEx will also use 10 zero-emission Modec electric delivery vehicles in the United Kingdom. FedEx Express has more than 320 LPG and electric-powered support units in use at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle hub in Paris and other operational facilities across Europe.
- FedEx operates a large number of electric and alternative-fuel support vehicles worldwide, including more than 500 forklifts and 1,600 ground equipment units at airports.
- Couriers in New York City and London's West End deliver many of their packages on foot and bicycle.
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