UPS has deployed three new electric vehicles for a field test in Herne, Germany, as part of itsactivities to reduce environmental emissions.
With three more delivery vans to be delivered in fall 2012, UPS said it wants to explore thepossibilities of alternative propulsion in the Rhein-Ruhr electric mobility model region, which issubsidised by the German government.
Manufactured by German electric vehicles specialist EFA-S, UPS’s three type P80E deliveryvehicles are based upon a prototype that has been in the test phase in Wendlingen, near Stuttgart,since November 2010. Both the drivers’ practical experience and continuous development have led toseveral improvements that have been implemented in the latest vans.
Among these technical improvements is a new electric motor installed in one of the vans thatallows the vehicle to run without a gearbox, thereby reducing environmental noise and overallweight. The field test is now to show whether the electric vehicle can handle steep slopes as wellas UPS’s traditional vans do.
In addition, a software update has been installed in order to improve control of the powerassisted steering, a crash sensor ensures automatic shutdown of the onboard high-voltage system andimproved positioning of the power socket facilitates loading the vans’ batteries in confinedspaces.
“The test of the small fleet in Herne is an important step that helps us to make electricmobility more cost-effective. Our positive experience with the P80E in Wendlingen has encouraged usto conduct further tests,” said Thomas Schlichting, Manager External Communication at UPSGermany.
“Experience with the first UPS P80E has shown that our concept is fully suited for dailyoperations. We have managed to further optimise technology, weight and security, and are confidentthat the small fleet will prove itself in daily parcel service duty,” commented Bastian Beutel, CEOof EFA-S.
