UPS is adding on to its number of alternative-fuel vehicles and thus moving towards reducing its carbon footprint on our terra firma. It has just ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles, that is believed to be the largest commercial order of such trucks by any company. Also they have managed to order another 300 Compressed Natural Gas vehicles for its U.S. delivery fleet. Touted to be the largest such private fleet in the United States, this newest shopping of 500 vehicles has boosted UPS’s growth by 30%. This company has been utilizing alternative fuel vehicles for more than 70 years and is clearly the industry leader in hybrid electric and CNG vehicle purchases. With its green fleet growing at this pace, you are bound to frequently come across trucks with the ‘Natural Gas’ lettering on the side.
UPS’s “green fleet” operates in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom and has traveled nearly 144 million miles since 2000. The fleet includes electric, hybrid electric, CNG, liquefied natural gas and propane-powered vehicles. The company also is continuing work with the Environmental Protection Agency on a hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicle.
The 200 hybrid electric vehicles will be deployed in 2009 and join 50 HEV delivery trucks already in operation. The 200 trucks are expected to save 176,000 gallons of fuel annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 1,786 metric tons each year. That is the equivalent of removing almost 100 conventional UPS trucks from the road for a year.
[Thanks: Bobby Jones]
This is one good gesture from a logistics giant which uses humongous amounts of fuels. At least the people at UPS are trying to do their bit to save our fragile environment. Now, FedEx, DHL and TNT need to pick up the gauntlet and do their bit to save the planet. By the way, nice article!
