UPS has announced it has expanded its fleet of alternative-fueled vehicles with the deployment of 50 “next-generation” hybrid electric delivery trucks. The 50 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) will operate in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix.
Robert Hall, director of UPS Ground Fleet Engineering, said the company expects the HEVs to deliver a 45% boost in fuel economy, reducing fuel consumption by 44,000 gallons annually.
A battery pack, motor/generator and power control system allows electric power to be fed into the powertrain. Energy generated when stopping the vehicle is captured and returned to the battery system as electrical energy. It is also equipped with a small diesel engine. The trucks will operate with lithium ion batteries, offering a faster recharging capability and last longer than previous generation HEVs, UPS said.
The HEV fleet will feature two different size vehicles from Workhorse Custom Chassis and Freightliner LLC and a hybrid power system from Eaton Corp.
The truck bodies will be identical to the company’s other brown trucks, although they will feature an additional script on the side identifying them as hybrids.
For more information, go to www.ups.com
