UPS Leads Fuel Efficient Delivery Companies

Ouch. Whenever I think of UPS, I remember watching a delivery driver (attempt to) run up the stairs of his truck to grab a package, slip and smash his chin down each frickin’ stair. Painful! Then I think of their atrocious “brown” campaign, and I wonder if there isn’t some connection there.

As much of a problem as I give their marketing team, UPS has done a wonderful job of trying to keep their emissions down by utilizing the technology at hand. In fact, they’re trying to become part of the solution by working with the EPA on developing new vehicles meant for deliveries.

Recently the delivery company purchase 200 new hybrid electric vehicles, set for delivery in 2009, and another 300 vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas. That order is tremendous, and increases their “alternative” fleet by 30%.

In the last year, UPS has also added over 40 ZAP electric vehicles, and 300 trucks which can run off compressed natural gas or propane to their fleet. The recent order should prevent hundreds of thousands of pounds in emissions from being released each year.

UPS may still have thousands of gas-guzzling, emissions-belching trucks on the road, but they are committed to making the differences that they can. Not entirely altruistic on their part, the move to alternative vehicles is also saving them a tremendous amount in fuel costs each year.

It’s a phenomenal move, and one that will hopefully catch on with other delivery companies.

[Sources: BizJournal, Greenbiz ]