FedEx Introduces All-Electric Trucks in the US

FedEx has announced the expansion of its alternative-energy vehicle fleet with the first all-electric FedEx parcel delivery trucks in the US. Four purpose-built electric trucks – optimized for electric operation from the wheels up – are slated to hit the road in the Los Angeles area starting in June 2010.

Rather than creating its own proprietary technology, the company is again turning to the marketplace to spur solutions that can rapidly be scaled up to provide affordable and reliable service to a wide range of delivery truck operators. It is purchasing its first North American all-electric vehicles from two different suppliers to evaluate the robustness of this technology for daily FedEx Express deliveries in the Los Angeles area and provide information to help guide future FedEx vehicle purchases.

Two of the all-electric trucks come from Navistar, and are being assembled in Indiana. These are based on the Modec design already operated by FedEx in Europe. Ten such Modec vehicles serve FedEx routes in London and five more are on order for Paris.

Another pair of electric vehicles is being purchased from a different manufacturer for delivery to the Los Angeles area later in 2010. Both sets of electric vehicles are designed with a range that allows FedEx Express couriers to make a full eight-hour shift of deliveries before their vehicles need recharging.

FedEx, www.fedex.com