On the 27th of this month, a showcase of alternative fuel vehicles used in large fleets was led by the White House. Present at the said event are the alternative fuel vehicles from UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company.
The company operates the biggest private fleet of alternative fuel vehicle in its industry. With more than 1,500 vehicles as part of their alternative fuel vehicle fleet, United Parcel Service clearly supports the administration’s “Twenty in Ten” goal. These alternative fuel vehicles are part of the showcase in White House and were inspected by the President himself.
Among the alternative fuel vehicles shown by the company at the event is their hydraulic hybrid vehicle. UPS operates the world’s first Full Hydraulic Hybrid Urban Delivery Vehicle. The said vehicle is the fruit of the collaboration between UPS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Eaton International Truck and Engine, and the U.S. Army National Automotive Center.
Unlike hybrid electric vehicles, the other source of power in these vehicles, apart from an internal combustion engine, are its hydraulic components. The design of the vehicle is essentially based on the elimination of mechanical transmission and driveline with hydraulic components. The use of hydraulics reduces the amount of power wasted in the transmission of power from the engine to the drive wheels. The vehicle is predicted to save 60 to 70 percent of its fuel and this is based on the tests performed on it.
Aside from hydraulic hybrid vehicles, UPS’ alternative vehicle fuel fleet also includes electric hybrid vehicles. The use of an electric motor in this technology reduces the amount of fuel that needs to be burned. This, in turn, results to reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere where it increases the risk of further global warming.
UPS operates 50 units of hybrid electric vehicles and is reported to reduce fuel consumption for the company by as much as 44,000 gallons every year. Greenhouse gas emissions will also be decreased by as much as 457 metric tons every year.
UPS also uses fuel cell vehicles in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler. These vehicles produce only water as the byproduct of its operation. This means that it effectively eliminates the production of greenhouse gases. The vehicles with these technologies are also safe as Volvo S70 parts.
Aside from hybrid and fuel cell technology, UPS also makes use of liquefied natural gas as fuel for their vehicles. The company uses this fuel for large trucks since liquefied natural gas is very dense in nature. This means that the fuel provides adequate power for the amount of space it occupies in a vehicle’s tank. This fuel is best suited for large trucks that travels extended distances before refueling.
These vehicles are the company’s contribution to the reduction in the country’s consumption of petroleum products as called for by the President.
By: Glady Reign