The company will now push for a 30% improvement in its fleet efficiency, compared to its 2005 baseline, by the 2020 deadline.

FedEx originally set its 20% target back in 2008, but five years later has already beaten that with a 22% cumulative improvement in the fuel economy of its vehicles.

It said deploying advanced technologies and working with motor manufacturers had helped optimise the fleet at a faster rate than expected.

Matching the right vehicle to the right route was particularly key to cutting emissions, the company said.

The move to up its game on vehicle efficiency echoes the raising of FedEx Express air fleet environmental goals last year, when the company increased its goal for lowering aircraft emissions from a 20% to a 30% target by 2020.

Mitch Jackson, staff vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, FedEx Corp, said: “We are encouraged by the technological improvements, in addition to the commitment demonstrated by FedEx team members around the world, that have allowed us to reduce our impact on the environment and the communities we serve while maintaining excellent customer service.”

Returns

FedEx Express said its vehicle efficiency drive has brought “substantial” economic returns, as well as environmental improvements.

The company expects to save 20m gallons of fuel this year along through the programme.

By the end of 2013, FedEx Express will have a total of 390 hybrid-electric vehicles and 200 electric vehicles in its fleet. The company has also been working to reduce the size of the engines in its Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, of which it has 10,000 in service, comprising 35% of its US pick-up and delivery fleet. The smaller engines mean each van is 70-100% more fuel-efficient than the truck it replaces

FedEx has also been adopting composite body technology in its Reach vehicles, deploying almost 200 since 2011, with a further 200 on the way in 2013. These vehicles use composite materials instead of steel body panels, offering lower weight that improves fuel efficiency by 35%.

“FedEx Express follows a three-tiered strategy to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet: Reduce, Replace and Revolutionize,” said Dennis Beal, vice president of Global Vehicles, FedEx Express. “This holistic approach to fleet management allows us to develop vehicle technologies for the future while maximizing the conventional vehicles we operate today.”

Sister company FedEx Freight is also now testing two new tractors powered by cleaner-burning engines using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel. The tests have been ongoing since November 2012, with a pre-production engine that is scheduled to go into limited release later in 2013.

FedEx Ground is also working on its environmental impacts, testing hybrid hydraulic parcel delivery vehicles, which use computer-controlled systems to eliminate unnecessary engine operation.

Source: Post&Parcel/FedEx Express

Tags: carbon emissions, Electric Vehicles, FedEx Express, hybrid vehicles, USA


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