electricpower: UPS’ hybrid-electric vans reduce fuel use by 29%, cost per mile by 15% UPS and its competitors at FedEx and DHL have all been testing a variety of hybrid drive delivery vans for several years now. Recently, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory completed a twelve-month evaluation of six hybrid vans being used by UPS in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the results were good. Very good, in fact. After twelve months of operation, the hybrid vans averaged 28.9 percent lower fuel consumption than similar conventional diesel vans. Even with the extra cost of the hybrid vehicles, the overall cost per mile was cut by 15 percent. The hybrid vans are based on Freightliner chassis with Mercedes-Benz diesel engines. The hybrid hardware was provided by Eaton corporation using the supplier’s automated manual transmission with integrated electric motor/generator. Electrical energy storage is provided by a lithium ion battery pack of unknown origin. As a result of the testing, UPS has ordered 200 more of the Eaton hybrid vans for its fleet. UPS is also continuing to test other hybrid vehicles, including hydraulic hybrids. [Source: UPS] Autoblog Green

electricpower:

UPS’ hybrid-electric vans reduce fuel use by 29%, cost per mile by 15%

UPS and its competitors at FedEx and DHL have all been testing a variety of hybrid drive delivery vans for several years now. Recently, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory completed a twelve-month evaluation of six hybrid vans being used by UPS in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the results were good. Very good, in fact. After twelve months of operation, the hybrid vans averaged 28.9 percent lower fuel consumption than similar conventional diesel vans. Even with the extra cost of the hybrid vehicles, the overall cost per mile was cut by 15 percent. 

The hybrid vans are based on Freightliner chassis with Mercedes-Benz diesel engines. The hybrid hardware was provided by Eaton corporation using the supplier’s automated manual transmission with integrated electric motor/generator. Electrical energy storage is provided by a lithium ion battery pack of unknown origin. As a result of the testing, UPS has ordered 200 more of the Eaton hybrid vans for its fleet. UPS is also continuing to test other hybrid vehicles, including hydraulic hybrids.

[Source: UPS]

Autoblog Green

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electricpower: Azure Dynamics gets FedEx order for 51 hybrid vans Things are looking up for Azure Dynamics these days. After inking a deal to help Ford with the development and production of the Transit Connect BEV next year, the company has a new order for its hybrid delivery vans. FedEx has signed up to take on another 51 of the vans based on Ford’s E450 cutaway chassis. Once the new vans are delivered by the end of this year, FedEx will have 325 hybrid and electric vans in its fleet and its Bronx, New York facility will be the first all-hybrid depot in the U.S. The Bronx depot will have 100 hybrid delivery trucks in service. FedEx already has 25 Azure trucks in its fleet and the new additions join another 92 trucks that were retrofitted with hybrid systems earlier this year. Since introducing its first hybrid in 2004, Fedex has accumulated four million miles on them. [Source: Fedex] (via Autoblog Green)

electricpower:

Azure Dynamics gets FedEx order for 51 hybrid vans

Things are looking up for Azure Dynamics these days. After inking a deal to help Ford with the development and production of the Transit Connect BEV next year, the company has a new order for its hybrid delivery vans. FedEx has signed up to take on another 51 of the vans based on Ford’s E450 cutaway chassis. Once the new vans are delivered by the end of this year, FedEx will have 325 hybrid and electric vans in its fleet and its Bronx, New York facility will be the first all-hybrid depot in the U.S. The Bronx depot will have 100 hybrid delivery trucks in service. FedEx already has 25 Azure trucks in its fleet and the new additions join another 92 trucks that were retrofitted with hybrid systems earlier this year. Since introducing its first hybrid in 2004, Fedex has accumulated four million miles on them.

[Source: Fedex] (via Autoblog Green)

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