WASHINGTON — FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., today announced plans to add up to 75 hybrid, diesel electric trucks to its service fleet in the next 12 months. The announcement coincided with the unveiling of two FedEx hybrid trucks in the nation’s capital on Thursday, which brought the company-wide total of hybrid trucks in use to 18.
The FedEx Express E700 hybrid electric vehicle decreases particulate emissions by 96 percent and travels 57 percent farther on a gallon of fuel than a conventional FedEx truck, reducing fuel costs by more than one third, the company said.
The Washington, D.C. rollout is a joint initiative with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corp. The project began four years ago when Environmental Defense, an organization recognized for its work with industry leaders to create environmental and business innovations, and FedEx Express began working together to create the next generation delivery vehicle. Cleveland, Ohio-based Eaton Corporation, one of the world’s most recognized industrial manufacturers, produced the hybrid electric powertrain for the vehicle.
Environmental Defense, FedEx and Eaton have worked closely with a number of suppliers to find innovative, effective solutions to allow greater adoption of hybrid electric vehicles by more fleets around the country. Freightliner Custom Chassis was instrumental in supplying the chassis and assembling the 18 vehicles that have been placed into operation over the past year, starting in Sacramento. Utilimaster, Hitachi and Detroit Diesel each provided key components and worked with project partners to customize their components for the hybrid trucks.
“The commitment by FedEx to purchase hybrids demonstrates the business viability of these trucks on the road,” said Gwen Ruta, director of Corporate Partnerships, Environmental Defense. “As fuel prices continue to rise, fuel efficient trucks are an investment that every company should be making. And since hybrids also reduce air pollution, oil dependency and climate change, they’re not only good for business but good for America.”
“Eaton continues to be pleased with the performance – and the potential – of our advanced technology hybrid powertrain system,” said Jim Sweetnam, senior vice president and group executive of Eaton’s Truck Group. “The system is working extremely well in FedEx Express trucks in Sacramento, New York City and Tampa with high reliability, and we look forward to continued success with the Washington, D.C. roll-out. In order to encourage wider adoption of hybrid technology, we need the support of Congress for the passage of incentive tax credits for purchasing this clean, fuel-efficient technology. Doing so would provide benefits for our communities, our environment and our nation.”
FedEx currently has 18 hybrid trucks in service in Sacramento, New York, Tampa and now Washington, D.C. The trucks are meeting environmental goals based on recent lab testing at the Southwest Research Institute, which found a particulate matter reduction of 96 percent, a NOx reduction of 65 percent and increased fuel efficiency of 57 percent, compared to the 1999 baseline vehicle. New trucks are expected to be placed in Texas and New York City.
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