FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., today introduced four hybrid electric medium-duty trucks into service in the Denver metropolitan area. ,p> The move was applauded by Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee who is a leading voice in the U.S. Senate calling for alternative energy solutions to reduce dependence on foreign oil, enhance national security, protect land and water resources, and create new jobs throughout America.
“The FedEx hybrid electric truck is an excellent example of how one company can take steps to improve our air quality while reducing dependence on foreign oil,” said Salazar. “I, along with a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues, am championing efforts that will provide incentives for American automobile manufacturers and businesses to produce and use more hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles. I applaud FedEx for taking a leadership role in investing in this technology that delivers cleaner air in our community.”
The FedEx Express hybrid, developed in cooperation with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corp., will deliver cleaner and healthier air and reduce climate change impacts. This new vehicle:
- Decreases soot by 96 percent and smog causing emissions by 65 percent
- Travels 57 percent farther on a gallon of fuel, reducing fuel costs by over a third
- Operates and performs like a conventional FedEx Express medium duty vehicle
The introduction of the FedEx Express hybrid vehicles is part of an innovative alliance that began in 2000 between FedEx and Environmental Defense to create the next generation of cleaner, more fuel-efficient delivery trucks. FedEx became the first company to begin converting its medium duty truck fleet to hybrid vehicles for commercial use.
Including Denver, FedEx operates a total 93 hybrid vehicles in cities such as New York, Tampa, Sacramento and Washington, D.C.