MEMPHIS, TN – FedEx Corp hit a major milestone for its existing hybrid-electric truck
fleet: more than 2 million miles of revenue service. The hybrid trucks improve
fuel economy by 42 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30
percent, and cut particulate pollution by 96 percent. FedEx is also expanding
its commitment to clean-vehicle technology by placing an additional 75 hybrid
vehicles into service in the United States
and Europe.
FedEx
will now operate more than 170 hybrid vehicles around the globe, including the
largest fleet of commercial hybrid trucks in North America,
which comprise nearly one-third of the deployed North American hybrid market.
First in
its industry to introduce hybrid vans into its fleet, FedEx now works with a
diverse group of manufacturers, including Eaton Corporation, Isuzu, and Iveco.
FedEx will also purchase 20 vehicles that use an Azure Dynamic hybrid system
and Ford gasoline engine and chassis, representing one of the first gasoline
hybrid-electric delivery trucks in commercial use.
“Two
million miles of FedEx service is a significant milestone for hybrid vehicles,”
said Mitch Jackson, director of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, FedEx
Corp. “FedEx continues to work to advance clean truck technology. We now need
the collective leadership of business, nonprofits, and government to make
cleaner delivery vehicle technology widely available. It’s time for the truck
manufacturing industry to create its version of the Prius: clean, affordable,
and widely available for truck fleets.”
John
Formisano, vice president of Global Vehicles, FedEx Express, said, “FedEx has
been very happy with the operational and environmental performance of the FedEx
hybrids. We continue to look for opportunities to introduce more fuel-efficient
vehicle models, including hybrids, into our fleet.”
Today’s
developments are the latest steps in the ongoing efforts by FedEx and
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to support the clean technology truck market,
which has grown to include more than 30 fleets in North America. FedEx and EDF
have worked together to encourage more companies to purchase and develop clean-technology
trucks. FedEx and EDF have also been advocates for additional government
incentives at the national, state, and local levels to offset the higher
capital costs of cleaner vehicles while the market is developing.
FedEx is
the only transportation company to publicly call for fuel efficiency standards
for commercial medium and heavy duty truck classes that will reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and reduce fuel consumption. The company has also
championed the need for a small, fuel efficient engine for application in
hybrid vehicles following the 2007 EPA federal engine standard.
Twenty
FedEx hybrids using Azure Dynamics hybrid technology and a Ford E-450 chassis
and gasoline engine will be placed into service in Los Angeles (15 vehicles) and
Sacramento (five vehicles). Ten Iveco hybrid-electric “daily-model” vans with
Iveco diesel engines and hybrid systems will begin to deliver packages on
routes in Europe. Forty-five FedEx
hybrid-electric vans with the Eaton Corporation hybrid system will be stationed
in New York City.
FedEx
Ground has also announced plans to test a hybrid hydraulic technology with
Parker Hannifin Corporation on a heavier-class vehicle (Class 6).
