FedEx Expands Hybrid-Electric Fleet

FedEx converted 92 standard FedEx delivery trucks to hybrid-electric trucks. The addition boosts the carrier’s hybrid fleet to a total of 264, the largest fleet of hybrid delivery trucks in North America.

The FedEx hybrid-electric fleet has already logged more than four million miles of revenue service since 2004, reducing fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and Eaton Corporation produced the conversions in Charlotte, N.C., during the past six months using 2000 or 2001 models with 300,000 to 500,000 miles on them.

“The conversion of these standard FedEx trucks into hybrids is the latest milestone in our drive to advance and adopt hybrid technology into our fleet and the broader industry,” said John Formisano, vice president, global vehicles, FedEx Express.

The retrofit hybrid trucks are projected to improve fuel economy by 44 percent, decrease particulate matter by 96 percent and reduce smog-causing NOx emissions by 75 percent compared to the standard FedEx Express delivery truck.

The 92 retrofitted hybrid vehicles will be placed into service in California, primarily in the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco metropolitan areas.

Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.