ATLANTA – Atlanta-based UPS is operating some electric vehicles in U.S. cities. Diesel-electric hybrids, natural-gas-powered trucks, and other experimental vehicles also cruise city streets and highways, according to Investors Business Daily. The company has more than 1,600 of its trucks using either hybrid or alternative-fueled drive systems around the world. The company said it’s invested $15 million over the years in alternative vehicles. However, less than two percent of UPS’ total global fleet is green.

However, by October 2008, UPS will soon add another 306 alternative-fueled vehicles — 139 compressed natural gas trucks and 129 propane delivery trucks. Rival FedEx also said it will add another 10 hybrid electric-diesel delivery vans to its fleet in Europe in the same timeframe. That will give it over 100 worldwide.

UPS has been testing hybrids since 1998. It added 50 to its fleet in July. It estimates it’ll be 45 percent more fuel efficient, collectively saving 44,000 gallons of diesel over the course of a year.

Today, UPS has more than 100,000 vehicles around the globe. About 20,000 of its trucks are classified as low-emission vehicles. That includes alternative-fuel trucks, as well as newer, cleaner-running regular trucks.

UPS also has about 800 compressed gas trucks in service and plans to add 139 to its fleet next year.