Canada Post has taken delivery of the first Transit Connect Electric commercial delivery vehiclein Canada as part of moves to expand its environmentally-friendly fleet.
The all-electric commercial van, built on the Ford Transit Connect vehicle body and equippedwith Azure Dynamics’ patented Force Drive battery electric powertrain is the first of tenzero-emission pure battery-powered vehicles the corporation has committed to purchasing. Theremaining nine Ford Transit Connect electric vans will begin delivering mail in 2011.
“Our delivery vans travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop-and-go driving;these are all performance characteristics that allow for maximum benefit of the Ford TransitConnect Electric and its ForceDrive power train,” said Doug Jones, senior vice-president,Operations, at Canada Post. “We have the largest delivery fleet in the country and we are committedto improving our environmental record,” he added. “Developing partnerships with companies like Fordand Azure allows us to implement new technologies that meet our delivery needs.”
“It is important for companies such as Canada Post to show leadership and explore ways to reducetheir overall carbon footprint,” commented the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State(Transport). “Canadians should be pleased that their postal service will deliver mail in a moreenvironmentally friendly manner.”
Canada Post has tested a number of vehicle technologies over the years with the aim of advancingtechnology and securing vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Thecorporation began working with Azure Dynamics back in 1998 to begin to develop technology thatwould reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency for its fleet. The Ford Transit ConnectElectric reduces gasoline fuel costs to zero, produces no tailpipe emissions and is virtuallysilent.
“The purpose built Ford Transit Connect is a versatile and capable vehicle for fleet customers,”said Scott Cauvel, vice-president of Sales, Ford of Canada. “We are pleased that the Ford TransitConnect Electric will help to bring Canada Post further along the path of environmentalsustainability.”
“As a business with extensive operations in Canada, Azure is thrilled that Canada Post isleading by example and helping to introduce the environmentally friendly Transit Connect Electricto its fleet and our country,” said Mike Elwood, vice-president of Marketing, Azure Dynamics. “Commercial fleets like Canada Post endure difficult duty cycles and are under constant cost andperformance pressure. Transit Connect Electric is a significant technological achievement that canmeet the challenge with quiet, clean and lower-cost operations.”
The vehicles will be equipped with the Azure Dynamics pure battery-electric power train. TheFord Transit Connect Electric utilizes an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saftto achieve a range of up to 130 Kilometres (80 miles) on a single charge and zero tailpipeemissions.
