FedEx hybrid fleet hits two-million mile milestone

While announcing its hybrid-electric fleet of 172 vehicles has surpassed the two-million mile of revenue service mark, FedEx’s Mitch Jackson also pushed for the large-scale use of hybrid technology in truck fleets of the future.

“I think the two-million mark is significant because it shows these vehicles are economically viable,” Jackson, director of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability for FedEx Corp., told FleetOwner. FedEx has been at the forefront of the technology, beginning its development program in 2000.

FedEx also announced it will be adding 75 more hybrid vehicles to its fleet, 45 of which will be in New York City.

The company estimates the hybrid vehicles have saved approximately 83,000 gallons of fuel and eliminated 950 tons of greenhouse gas emissions since their introduction in 2003.

The vehicles are about 42% more fuel efficient than diesel engines alone, Jackson said. He added that FedEx is pushing to get the technology into large-scale production, thereby lowering production costs to be more in line with the Toyota Prius, which sells at about a 20% premium.

“Two million miles of FedEx service is a significant milestone for hybrid vehicles,” Jackson said. “FedEx continues to work to advance clean truck technology. We now need the collective leadership of business, nonprofits and government to make cleaner delivery vehicle technology widely available. It’s time for the truck manufacturing industry to create its version of the Prius: clean, affordable and widely available for truck fleets.”