FedEx plans to expand its hybrid-electric fleet by 50% strengthening its leading position with thelargest fleet of hybrid trucks in North America.
The express company will add 92 hybrid-electric trucks increasing its fleet ofhybrid-electric vehicles from 172 to 264. The 92 retrofitted hybrid vehicles will be placed intoservice in California, primarily in the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, San Diego and SanFrancisco. They 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 deliverytruck, the company said in a statement.
Since its introduction in 2004, the FedEx hybrid-electric fleet has logged more than fourmillion miles of revenue service, reducing fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissionsby 1,521 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 279 cars from the road annually.
All retrofit hybrids will display the FedEx EarthSmart™ logo, which is a symbol of the FedExcommitment to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways through innovations that aremore efficient and better for the environment, FedEx further explained. In the coming months, allFedEx hybrid trucks will be re-branded as a part of the EarthSmart initiative.
The hybrid conversions were produced in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the past six monthsand created 50 new, temporary “green” jobs in the area. The converted hybrids were developed withFreightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) and Eaton Corporation, which provided thehybrid-electric systems.
An added benefit of the conversion programme is that it not only reduces pollution but alsoextends the life of the vehicles, helping to eliminate waste production and creating areduce-and-reuse program, said FedEx.
“The conversion of these standard FedEx trucks into hybrids is the latest milestone in ourdrive to advance and adopt hybrid technology into our fleet and the broader industry,” said JohnFormisano, Vice President, Global Vehicles, FedEx Express. “FedEx and our suppliers havedemonstrated that converted hybrids are a viable, lower-cost option compared to purchasing newhybrids. We now need government incentives to end a Catch-22 situation: Production volumes are lowdue to high cost, and costs will only come down with higher production volumes.”
Formisano applauded the California government for continuing to provide incentive funding forhybrid truck purchases, which allowed FedEx to place its first hybrid truck into service in thestate in 2004 and add further hybrids to its fleet during the past five years.
“Hybrid technology helps FedEx reduce emissions and fuel use as we work to increase theefficiency of our vehicle fleet,” said Mitch Jackson, Director of Environmental Affairs andSustainability, FedEx Corp. “We are eager for additional government and industry support to findmore affordable options for hybrid trucks, so that we may adopt them into our fleet at a fasterpace.”
