UPS Expands ‘Green Fleet’ Hybrids

UPS Inc. said Tuesday it had expanded its fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles by adding 50 new hybrid electric delivery trucks.

The vehicles will operate in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix, and will join about 20,000 low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles already in use by the company, UPS said.

“We’re excited to be among the first to deploy the latest [hybrid] technology because it promises a 45% increase in fuel economy in addition to a dramatic decrease in vehicle emissions,” said Robert Hall, director of UPS ground fleet engineering.

The “package cars” are expected to reduce fuel consumption by about 44,000 gallons per year compared to an equivalent number of traditional diesel trucks.

The hybrids also will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 500 tons annually, UPS said.

The power system will allow UPS to use a smaller diesel engine than required in a conventional delivery truck, saving on fuel and pollution-causing emissions.

UPS is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.