FedEx Express and Deutsche Post have stepped up moves towards a greener fleet by testing andintroducing more environmentally-friendly vehicles in the UK and Germany respectively.
FedEx is starting a trial run of a Nissan prototype zero-emission all-electric delivery vehiclein London, while Deutsche Post DHL has purchased ten Mercedes-Benz Atego hybrid trucks to bedeployed across Germany in its mail and freight segments.
As part of extensive real-world testing in the streets of London, FedEx Express and Nissan arecollaborating over a two-month period to evaluate how the NV200 electric vehicle (EV) handles dailyduties. FedEx Express currently operates 43 all-electric vehicles in London, Paris, New York, LosAngeles, Chicago and Memphis, all of which are ideal dense urban centres.
With zero emissions, no tailpipe, and energy-recycling regenerative braking, the Nissan NV200 EVprototype is particularly well-suited for congested city streets where poor air quality is causingincreased concern. In addition, the start and stop of city traffic reduces the wasteful loss ofenergy and thus increases the efficiency of the vehicle’s driveline. Battery charging optionsinclude a complete recharge overnight or up to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes using a QuickCharger.
The truck uses the same EV power train and battery originally developed for the multi-awardwinning Nissan LEAF – the world’s first 100% electric mass-market family car and winner of the 2011European Car of the Year, 2011 World Car of the Year, and Car of the Year Japan 2011-2012 awards.To date, Nissan has already sold more than 20,000 Nissan LEAFs, making it the best-sellingall-electric car across the globe, FedEx said.
“Zero-emission vehicles like Nissan LEAF are already playing an increasingly significantenvironmental role in our towns and cities. The Nissan NV200 EV prototype delivery vehicle will notonly improve the quality of urban life, but thanks to best in class running costs has greatpotential to ease the economic burdens placed on companies,” said Hideto Murakami, Nissan corporatevice president, responsible for the Global LCV Business Unit. FedEx Express feedback from theevaluation process will help us tailor a future battery-powered light commercial Nissan vehiclethat meets customer needs.”
“Collaboration is part of our global vehicle strategy,” explained Dennis Beal, vice president ofGlobal Vehicles for FedEx Express. “We value the opportunity Nissan has given us to provideexperienced feedback and contribute to development of the best Nissan NV200 possible.”
In Germany, Daimler AG has handed over ten Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid vehicles to DPFleet GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL. The trucks assigned to DHL’s freight operations willoperate in Wustermark and Hamburg, while the five Atego Hybrids to be used by the company’s maildivision will go into service in Hennigsdorf, Dortmund, Cologne-Gremberghoven, Gersthofen andKolbermoor.
From March 2009 to October 2010, Deutsche Post DHL was Daimler AG’s exclusive partner in aEuropean pilot project involving five Atego Hybrid prototypes which eventually led to this neworder. The Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid has been in increasing demand by logistics companieswith gradual deliveries since March 2011. An international expert jury has voted the Atego BlueTecHybrid “Truck of the Year 2011” in recognition of its innovative technology.
At the end of last year, the Atego BlueTec Hybrid additionally received the prestigious GermanSustainability Award. The jury explained why the Atego was chosen: “The hybrid truck by the DaimlerAG addresses various challenges in the area of sustainability. The adaptation of hybrid componentsto the vehicle’s operating strategy results in a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of10-15%, with even greater savings possible, depending on the given topography and serviceconditions. In braking and overrun mode, the electric motor functions as a generator, feedingenergy into lithium-ion batteries which are subsequently available when special load situationsapply.” Another advantage is lower noise emissions.
The basis for the BlueTec Hybrid is provided by the Atego 1222 L Euro 5, which already meets theenvironment-friendly EEV standard for particularly low particulate emissions and qualifies fortoll-free use of German roads. Its compact and light four-cylinder diesel engine with adisplacement of 4.8 l generates 160 kW (218 hp) of power. This engine is backed up by awater-cooled electric motor with a maximum output of 44 kW which is powered by high-energy,high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The electric motor is installed behind the combustionengine and the clutch, but in front of the transmission. This configuration enables the truck to bepowered by engine and motor together or by either of the drives on its own. The parallel hybriddrive enables start-up of the vehicle on electric power, recuperation by the electric motor andoptimisation of the diesel engine’s characteristic.
