FedEx Express has reached its goal of improving the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet earlierthan planned, with a cumulative improvement of more than 22 per cent already achieved, and the
company has set a new target to be attained by 2020.In 2008, the company set itself the goal of improving the overall fuel efficiency of theFedEx Express global vehicle fleet by 20 per cent by 2020, based on 2005 emissions levels.
After already surpassing the target less than five years later, it has revised its goal andis now aiming for a 30 per cent overall improvement in its vehicle fleet fuel efficiency by 2020 –a 50 per cent increase over the original goal. This follows the company’s announcement back in 2012to increase its aircraft emissions goal by 50 per cent: from a 20 per cent reduction in globalaircraft emissions intensity by 2020 to a 30 per cent reduction.
Mitch Jackson, staff vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability at FedExCorp, said: “The announcements are major milestones, not only for FedEx Express and oursustainability efforts, but for the entire transportation industry. We are encouraged by thetechnological improvements, in addition to the commitment demonstrated by FedEx team members aroundthe world, that have allowed us to reduce our impact on the environment and the communities weserve while maintaining excellent customer service.”
The company explained that it had seen the biggest impact on overall fuel efficiency from itsstrategy of matching the right vehicle to each route. This had not only accelerated progresstowards the fuel efficiency goal but also resulted in substantial economic and environmentalreturns as well. FedEx Express expects to save approximately 100 million litres of fuel this yearthrough these efforts to increase vehicle fuel efficiency.
By the end of the financial year 2013, FedEx Express expects to have increased the size ofits advanced alternative-energy vehicle fleet to 360 hybrid-electric vehicles and 200 electricvehicles. To date, these vehicles have travelled more than 23 million kilometres in revenueservice.
The company said it had been speeding up its efforts in fuel conservation through thepurchase of vehicles with “right-sized engines”, like the Sprinter vans manufactured byMercedes-Benz. It currently has more than 10,000 such vehicles in service, accounting for more than35 per cent of its US pick-up and delivery fleet. Since 2011, it has also deployed almost 200composite-body Reach vehicles into its global fleet, with 200 more to be added by the end of thisyear. The lower weight design of the vehicles, along with the engine, allows for a 35 per centreduction in fuel usage over most conventional walk-in vans.
FedEx Freight and FedEx Ground are also currently testing new technologies while alsoimplementing vehicle innovations and modifications such as skirts and fairings to its trucks,tractors and trailers to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleet, FedEx said.
