FedEx is expanding its use of hybrid vehicles by contracting with powertrain company Azure Dynamics to develop a hybrid delivery van.
The gas-electric hybrid will be based on the Ford E-450 delivery van.
FedEx Express ordered 20 of the vans and will put them on the streets next year. FedEx currently has 93 hybrid vehicles in operation.
Adding an electric motor to a delivery van makes perfect sense since they stop and start frequently in urban areas and spend a lot of time idling. This should maximize the fuel efficiency since the battery power can keep the vehicles warm when stopped, and the regenerative braking system can get the most out of the frequent stopping.
FedEx competitor UPS is testing a hydraulic hybrid that promises to be much more energy efficient than current hybrid technology.
