MEMPHIS, Tenn.—FedEx Corp. has announced a major milestone for its existing hybrid-electric truck fleet: more than two million miles of revenue service. The hybrid trucks improve fuel economy by 42%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30% and cut particulate pollution by 96%.
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 Dynamics 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.”
These 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 leadership has helped to make hybrid truck technology a reality,” said Gwen Ruta, vice president for Corporate Partnerships, EDF. “There is tremendous momentum in the hybrid truck market today, with more trucks on the road and more companies buying hybrids every day. The FedEx and EDF collaboration jump-started this market transformation. We demonstrated that the trucks work in the real world and that they can slash both greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs.”
FedEx is the only transportation company to publicly call for fuel efficiency standards for commercial medium and heavyduty 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.
