FedEx Express is expanding its environmentally-friendly hybrid vehicle fleet to a total of 325vehicles with an order for 51 additional gasoline-electric hybrid delivery vans from Azure Dynamics
Corporation.The FedEx fleet of hybrid electric and electric vehicles will total 325 when all 51 hybridstep-vans are delivered during November and December of 2009. Most of the new gasoline-electricvehicles will be put into service at a Bronx, N.Y., station, making it the first FedEx all-hybridfacility with about 100 trucks, FedEx Express announced.
“Even during a challenging fiscal year, FedEx has continued to make investments in hybridelectric and electric vehicles a priority because of the long-term value in vehicle technologiesthat reduce fuel costs and pollution,” said John Formisano, vice president of Global Vehicles,FedEx Express. “FedEx now operates seven different hybrid or electric truck models around theglobe, demonstrating that commercial delivery vans can reduce pollution and increase efficiencywithout any sacrifice in performance and durability.”
With its electric-launch assist, engine-off at idle, and regenerative braking, the FedExAzure gasoline-electric step-vans are well-suited for the tough start-and-stop conditions enduredin the everyday traffic of one of the world’s busiest cities. As a result, FedEx expects afuel efficiency improvement of 30% while also reducing its carbon footprint. Twenty FedExAzure Balance Hybrid Electric gasoline step-vans are already in service across the FedEx Expressdelivery network in California.
“The tough driving and delivery conditions of New York City, mainly the stop-and-go-traffic,is an ideal environment to prove that efficient and cleaner transportation technologies are aviable alternative to conventionally equipped trucks,” said Mitch Jackson, director ofEnvironmental Affairs and Sustainability, FedEx Corp. “FedEx continues to advance clean trucktechnology, and is pleased that our ongoing leadership enhances the industry’s interest anddevelopment of hybrid commercial vehicles.”
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) plans to provide agrant to FedEx for the new hybrid vehicles as part of its environmental protectionactivities. Azure Dynamics is a major manufacturer of hybrid electric and electric componentsand powertrain systems for commercial vehicles, and is strategically targeting the commercialdelivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets.
Overall, FedEx currently operates 274 hybrid electric and electric vehicles around the globe,and 1,780 alternative fuel vehicles and equipment. The addition of these 51 vehicles takesFedEx to a total of 325 hybrid electric and electric vehicles, and more than 1,800 alternative fuelvehicles and equipment. The FedEx hybrid fleet has logged more than four million miles ofrevenue service since being introduced in 2004, reducing fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbondioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons.
In June 2009, FedEx converted 92 existing trucks to hybrid-electrics in its delivery fleet—the first of its standard FedEx delivery trucks retrofitted to hybrid-electric systems. Inlate August, FedEx completed the rollout of ten new state-of-the-art electric commercial vehiclesfor use in the United Kingdom. With zero tailpipe emissions, the FedEx electric vehicles willsave around 11 tons of CO2 a year compared to a similar-weight diesel vehicle.
