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FedEx expands low emission vehicle program to New York
Collaboration with Environmental Defense, Eaton Corporation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Unveils 10 Hybrid Electric Vehicles
In addition to packages, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx
Corp. (NYSE: FDX), is also delivering cleaner air. The company today
announced it had placed into service ten low-emission, hybrid electric
delivery vehicles in New York City just in time for its holiday peak
season. The New York launch is a joint initiative with Environmental
Defense, Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN) and the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority.
The FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicles began delivering
packages on routes in the New York metropolitan area following an
agreement with NYSERDA to demonstrate the viability of lower-emission
hybrid powertrains in heavy-duty vehicles. The roll out took place
today at a FedEx facility on 48th Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan.
"New York City is a dynamic economy with many trucks on its
streets essential to keep commerce moving, so it is important that we
continue to develop innovative solutions to reduce vehicle emissions,"
said John Formisano, Vice President of Global Vehicles, FedEx Express.
"Today's roll-out not only represents one-half of FedEx's total
commitment for these vehicles this year, but is also a positive step
in our commitment to effective environmental management as a global
corporate priority and in the local communities we serve."
NYSERDA awarded federal NYCDOT Congestion Mitigation and Air
Quality funds to FedEx Express to support the placement of the FedEx
OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicle in New York.
"Governor Pataki has made a commitment to New Yorkers to improve
air quality throughout our State, especially here in the New York City
area," said Peter R. Smith, President of NYSERDA. "The promotion and
use of low-emission, energy-efficient hybrid vehicles is a critical
step in achieving cleaner air and a healthier environment."
Smith commended FedEx Express and its project partners for their
efforts on behalf of New York City and said the hybrid project
"exemplifies the achievements business, non-profits and government can
make when they partner to improve our environment."
The New York City Department of Transportation, which works
closely with NYSERDA, also played a pivotal role in making hybrid
vehicles possible in New York.
"The clean movement of goods in and around New York City is a long
standing commitment of the Bloomberg Administration," said NYCDOT
Commissioner Iris Weinshall. "I applaud FedEx for taking advantage of
our incentive program and putting hybrid technology on the streets of
New York. They are taking action all New Yorkers can be thankful for."
The project began four years ago when Environmental Defense, an
organization recognized for its work with industry leaders to create
environmental and business innovations, approached FedEx Express about
working together to create the next generation delivery vehicle.
"A revolution in the trucking industry is underway," said Fred
Krupp, President, Environmental Defense. "With these trucks FedEx is
leading the pack. Environmental Defense now challenges all fleet
owners to adopt clean trucks to reduce air pollution, oil dependency
and climate change impacts."
Cleveland, Ohio-based Eaton Corporation, one of the world's most
recognized industrial manufacturers, produced the hybrid electric
powertrain for the vehicle.
"Eaton continues to be pleased with the performance - and the
potential - of our advanced technology hybrid powertrain system," said
Jim Sweetnam, senior vice president and group executive of Eaton's
Truck Group. "The system is working well in the FedEx Express trucks
in Sacramento, and we look forward to continued success with the New
York City roll-out."
The New York City announcement follows the March roll-out of two
FedEx hybrid trucks. These trucks continue to operate and achieve a 99
percent up-time in the field.
The FedEx hybrid electric vehicle decreases particulate emissions
by 96 percent and travels 57 percent farther on a gallon of fuel,
reducing fuel costs by over a third. FedEx is currently taking steps
to introduce more of these vehicles into its fleet over time.
FedEx is committed to utilizing the enormous potential represented
by hybrids. For example, if 10,000 hybrid electric vehicles were on
the road rather than current standard vehicles, substantial reductions
in emissions and fuel use would occur annually:
- Smog-causing emissions (nitrogen oxides) would be reduced by
1,700 tons, the equivalent of taking passenger cars off New
York City roads for 25 days.
- Carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 83,000 tons,
which is equivalent to planting 2 million trees.
- Diesel fuel usage would be reduced by 7.2 million gallons,
which requires 1 million barrels of crude oil to produce.
The project partners, Environmental Defense, FedEx and Eaton, have
worked closely with a number of suppliers to find innovative,
cost-effective solutions to bring the production of this vehicle
closer to commercialization. Freightliner Custom Chassis was
instrumental in supplying the chassis and assembling the 16 vehicles
that will be placed into operation in the next few months.
Utilimaster, Hitachi and Detroit Diesel each provided key components
and worked with project partners to customize their components for the
hybrid trucks.
Power of Innovation Produces New Vehicle
FedEx Express and Environmental Defense began working together in
2000 to create a delivery truck that would dramatically decrease
emissions and fuel use. Through a competitive process, Eaton
Corporation was selected from more than 20 manufacturers who expressed
interest in creating a cleaner vehicle using a variety of
technologies. Since the beginning of the project, progress toward
goals has been assessed against the 1999 FedEx Express W700 standard
delivery vehicle, which represented the most common model in the FedEx
Express fleet.
Eaton's Innovative Technology Produces Hybrid Electric Powertrain
Eaton's hybrid-electric powertrain effectively combines a diesel
engine and electric motor to drive the vehicle. A computer determines
the most efficient combination, depending on current operating
conditions and driver demand. A four-cylinder engine replaces the
six-cylinder version currently used in the FedEx Express W700 delivery
vehicle. The engine size is reduced because of the added power
provided by the electric motor. A particulate trap has been added to
the truck to further reduce emissions.
Batteries capture and store energy during the "regenerative
braking" phase of the vehicle's operation, providing a source of
stored electric power for the motor during future acceleration.
Therefore, all electrical charging of the battery is provided by the
hybrid electric powertrain, and no external electrical infrastructure,
such as a power cord or electrical outlet, is needed. This balance
between conventional and electric technology is an innovative method
to improve environmental performance and decrease fuel use while
eliminating the need for high electrical-demand infrastructure costs.
The hybrid electric truck's operating characteristics will remain
virtually unchanged from that of a conventionally powered FedEx
Express vehicle.
Eaton's hybrid electric powertrain has been placed in the standard
white FedEx Express W700 delivery truck, which utilizes a Freightliner
chassis and a Utilimaster body. The hybrid electric delivery vehicle
will be differentiated from the standard FedEx Express delivery
vehicle only by an OptiFleet brand decal on the sides and rear of the
vehicle. The hybrid electric E700 has a gross vehicle weight of
approximately 16,000 lbs. and a cargo capacity of approximately 670
cubic feet.
This initiative is the second major FedEx environmental innovation
announcement this week. In Oakland, California on Monday, FedEx
Express announced that it was building California's largest corporate
solar electric system atop its hub at Oakland International Airport.
The 904 kilowatt solar array will provide approximately 80 percent of
the peak load demand for the company's Oakland facility.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses
worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and
business services. With annual revenues of $26 billion, the company
offers integrated business applications through operating companies
competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the
respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most
admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 240,000
employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused
on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the
needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit
fedex.com.
About the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New
York State Legislature. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy
$mart(SM) program, which is designed to support certain public benefit
programs during the transition to a more competitive electricity
market. Some 2,700 projects in 40 programs are funded by a charge on
the electricity transmitted and distributed by the State's
investor-owned utilities. The New York Energy $mart(SM) program
provides energy efficiency services, including those directed at the
low-income sector, research and development, and environmental
protection activities.
NYSERDA derives its basic research revenues from an assessment on
the intrastate sales of New York State's investor-owned electric and
gas utilities, and voluntary annual contributions by the New York
Power Authority and the Long Island Power Authority. Additional
research dollars come from limited corporate funds. Some 400 NYSERDA
research projects help the State's businesses and municipalities with
their energy and environmental problems. Since 1990, NYSERDA has
successfully developed and brought into use more than 150 innovative,
energy-efficient, and environmentally beneficial products, processes,
and services. These contributions to the State's economic growth and
environmental protection are made at a cost of about $.70 per New York
resident per year.
Federally funded, the Energy Efficiency Services program is
working with more than 540 businesses, schools, and municipalities to
identify existing technologies and equipment to reduce their energy
costs.
For more information, contact the Communications unit, NYSERDA, 17
Columbia Circle, Albany, New York 12203-6399; (518) 862-1090, ext.
3412.
About Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization,
represents more than 400,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental
Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative
private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the
most serious environmental problems. The work of Environmental Defense
in this project was supported by a lead grant over three years from
the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. Additional support was received
from the Hewlett Foundation, Oak Foundation, The Pew Charitable
Trusts, and the David H. Smith Foundation. For more information, visit
www.environmentaldefense.org.
About Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation is a global diversified industrial manufacturer
with 2003 sales of $8.1 billion that is a leader in fluid power
systems; electrical power quality, distribution and control;
automotive engine air management and powertrain controls for fuel
economy; and intelligent drivetrain systems for fuel economy and
safety in trucks. Eaton has 51,000 employees and sells products to
customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit
www.eaton.com.
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