UPS adds 125 hybrid electric trucks to its fleet

Earlier this month, UPS announced it made further inroads in its program to deploy electric-powered vehicles with increased range and performance with the purchase of 125 new technology hybrid delivery trucks.

UPS said that these vehicles, which are being manufactured by Cincinnati-based Workhorse Group, whom manufactures electric drive systems for commercial trucks, deliver up to four times the fuel economy of a gasoline-powered vehicle, as opposed to a ten-15 percent improvement compared to previous hybrid designs, with the vehicles set to be rolled out in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Mississippi, Alabama. Georgia, and Florida during the first half of 2016.

And UPS added the trucks were purchased under the company’s commitment to utilize advanced technologies to reduce the environmental impact of its fleet.

“We have been working with Workhorse/AMP on a version of this vehicle for well over a year, and we’ve been testing proto-types since early 2015,” said UPS Sustainability PR Manager Kristen Petrella. “The purchase of 125 was a culmination of successful proto-type testing and a desire to expand the evaluation of this vehicle and components to a wider range of locations, routes and duty cycles.”

The overall goal for UPS, she said, is to use this purchase as a means of furthering the development and continuous improvement of the technology.

“We believe there is a future for electric and hybrid electric vehicles in our industry,” she explained. “And, if this work leads to more widespread adoption of that technology then all of our customers would eventually benefit as a result of lower fuel cost and resulting environmental advantages.” 

With this purchase, UPS now has 386 hybrid electric vehicles, with these 125 vehicles to be added to that count as they are deployed.

Petrella said that while 125 vehicles is a very small part of the UPS fleet, the company believes it can help bring this or related technology to a point where it is economically feasible for widespread applications, in which case the significantly better fuel economy will provide lower operating costs and related environmental benefits. 

“Ultimately, if successful, the evolution of this technology will benefit everyone in the transportation industry,” she said. “Our commitment to furthering the continuous improvement and adoption of sustainable transportation solutions will position us to take full advantage of such technologies as they evolve.”