Announcing its hybrid-electric fleet of 172 vehicles has run over 2-million mi. in revenue service, FedEx's Mitch Jackson used the milestone event to push for the large-scale use of hybrid technology in truck fleets of the future. “I think the 2-million mark is significant because it shows these vehicles are economically viable,” Jackson, director of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability for FedEx Corp., told Fleet Owner. FedEx has been at the forefront of hybrid truck technology, beginning its development program in 2000.
FedEx has also announced it will be adding 75 more hybrid vehicles to its fleet, with 45 headed for service in New York City. The company estimates the hybrid vehicles have saved about 83,000 gal. of fuel and eliminated 950 tons of greenhouse gas emissions since their introduction in 2003. The vehicles are about 42% more fuel-efficient than diesel engines alone.
