UPS Canada announced that it is converting 167 gasoline-powered trucks to liquid propane throughout2009 to expand the company’s green fleet.
The first truck has already been converted to liquid propane while the remaining 166 vehicleswill be converted and released onto Canadian roads on a monthly basis throughout the year beginningin July. The liquid propane vehicles will be dispersed throughout the country, including 130 inOntario, 13 in Quebec, 14 in British Columbia and 10 in Alberta. The addition of the vehiclesbrings UPS Canada’s total alternative fuel fleet to 765.
“Though the recession has impacted every industry, UPS believes it is important to continueto explore greener avenues by investing in technology that reduces carbon emissions and lowers ouroverall environmental footprint,” said UPS Canada Vice President of Automotive, Steve Clark. “Thisaddition to our fleet is a testament to UPS’s commitment to environmental sustainability.”
The once gasoline-fuelled vehicles have been retrofitted with advanced liquid propaneinjection technology that will result in a significant reduction in ozone-forming emissions. Thenew liquid propane technology, developed in the United States, will allow the new vehicles torealise comparable fuel economy to their original gasoline systems, providing a minimum range of300 km per tank.
Propane is non-toxic and low in carbon and reactive hydrocarbon emissions, as well as low insulphide. It is also more readily accessible in Canada than anywhere else in the world. The cost ofmanufacturing the liquid propane vehicles is 14% higher than diesel-powered trucks and 25% higherthan conventional gasoline trucks. However, the use of propane fuel can extend engine life, reducethe need for frequent servicing and is also 47% more cost effective than diesel.
“Being environmentally friendly and economical, these new liquid propane vehicles arebetter suited than most other alternative fuel vehicles to withstand Canada’s often frigid wintertemperatures,” added Clark.
UPS’s global alternative-fuel fleet operates 1,819 vehicles representing the largest suchprivate fleet in the transportation industry. It aincludes compressed natural gas, liquefiednatural gas, propane and electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
