FedEx Express has significantly saved fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions during tests withIveco hybrid-electric vans in Milan and Turin over the last six months.
The express company and the truck manufacturer announced the first test results of 10state-of-the-art hybrid vehicles at a press conference in Milan yesterday. Testing of the vehicles,which have been in operation in Milan and Turin since last autumn, will continue until May 2010.
Over the first six months of the testing, each vehicle covered an average of 7,900 km with a26.5% reduction in fuel consumption and a decrease in CO2 emissions of 7.5 tons when compared witha traditional vehicle. These results were made possible by sophisticated control systems andfunctions such as the Stop & Start, which allows the vehicle to start in electric mode andbrake with energy recovery.
FedEx Express said it worked closely with Iveco in the development of the hybriddiesel-electric Iveco Daily, which showcases technology new to light commercial vehicles. FedEx Express is also the first company to test the technology in vehicles which are designedto stand up to the tough demands of express delivery in crowded urban environments.
“Iveco is strongly committed to the development of this technology. The results of thetest are a visible sign of our commitment to driving change by promoting a sustainable innovation,”said Ottavio Gioglio, Iveco’s general manager for Italy.
“The results of this new investment confirm the ongoing commitment of FedEx Express to makinghybrid truck technology a reality,” added Renato Carrara, managing director, Operations of FedExExpress in Italy. “FedEx Express was the first company to invest in commercially deployablehybrids and is now operating more than 170 hybrid vehicles around the globe, the largest hybridfleet in the transportation industry.”
The Iveco vans have demonstrated they have the manoeuvrability needed for commercial use. Following driver training using the vehicles, FedEx Express couriers have been overwhelminglypositive in their praise for the performance, functionality, and ease-of-use of the vehicles. The couriers have also expressed their pride at being able to contribute to safeguarding theenvironment while doing their everyday jobs, FedEx added.
