UPS to Convert Diesel Trucks to Electric in NYC
UPS Inc. is planning to convert its package delivery trucks from diesel to electric using new technology in New York City.
The company partnered with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the Bronx-based project, which supports Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030.
UPS ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest North American for-hire carriers.
“Public-private partnerships help push innovation forward and transform industries,” said Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering, UPS, in a press release. “This program will help UPS develop and deploy electric delivery trucks faster and more affordably. Because they are cleaner and quieter, electric vehicles are ideal for dense urban environments like New York City and are a critical part of our strategy for the future.”
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NYSERDA is providing $500,000 in funding to develop and test the conversions. If successful, it is expected that production of the new trucks will begin by spring 2018.
The project plans consist of converting up to three UPS vehicles a day, which is a conversion of up to 1,500 trucks. That would be approximately 66% of UPS’s NYC fleet operating in the five boroughs by 2022.
UPS and Unique Electric Solutions will design, build, test and make the conversions. The system is expected to provide more miles per battery charge, reducing charging times and increasing energy efficiency.
UPS operates more than 770 hybrid electric vehicles worldwide. The company recently set a goal that by 2020, one in four vehicles purchased annually will use alternative fuels or advanced technology.
