CLEAN DELIVERY

UPS and Workhorse Group are to collaborate on designing a plug-in zero-emissions electric delivery vehicle, which will be tested on urban routes across the United States, including Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.

There are initial plans for 50 trucks – which will be cost-comparable with conventionally fuelled vehicles – to hit the road, ahead of a larger fleet being deployed next year following any necessary fine-tuning.

Carlton Rose, President, Global Fleet Maintenance and Engineering for UPS, said: “Electric vehicle technology is rapidly improving with battery, charging and smart grid advances that allow us to specify our delivery vehicles to eliminate emissions, noise and dependence on diesel and gasoline.

“These new electric trucks will be a quantum leap forward… They will deliver by day and re-charge overnight.”

It is expected that the trucks will have a range of around 160 kilometres between charges, making them ideal for delivery routes in and around cities.

UPS expects the operating costs of the new plug-in electric vehicles to be less than similarly equipped diesel or gasoline vehicles.