UPS new Hybrid Diesel Vans

UPS new Hybrid Diesel Vans



Aug. 2007  - The National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory, NREL, is evaluating the performance of 50 hybrid diesel step 
delivery vans that are on the job delivering packages for the United 
Parcel Service, UPS, the world's largest package delivery company. 
NREL's Fleet Test & Evaluation, FT&E, team is performing a 12 month 
evaluation of some of these 50 hybrid vans at UPS locations in Dallas and 
Phoenix.NREL will publish its findings in fall 2008. 
The diesel hybrid delivery vans are expected to improve UPS fleet fuel 
economy and decrease vehicle emissions, while maintaining the same 
reliability and overall performance as conventional vehicles. 
Robert Hall, UPS director of maintenance and engineering, hopes the 
evaluation will speed up market acceptance of hybrid diesel systems. "By 
capturing and publishing vehicle performance data, NREL can help UPS make 
this type of energy-saving system a standard in the industry," he said. 
Eaton Corporation provided the hybrid propulsion systems for both of the 
vehicles being tested, some of which were manufactured by Workhorse Custom 
Chassis and others by Freightliner Corporation. 
The hybrid system employs an Eaton automated transmission, an integrated 
motor/generator, and advanced lithium ion batteries. 
The Freightliner model has a Mercedes-Benz MBE 904 four-cylinder diesel 
engine, while the Workhorse model features an International VT-275 
six-cylinder diesel. 
The Eaton hybrid system was developed in part under a $7.5 million, 
33-month contract from DOE’s Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion System 
program. 
The test project is funded by the Funded by the Department of Energy's 
Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity, AVTA. 
"Having helped fund the development of the Eaton system, DOE is eager to 
help test it in real-world applications and share the performance data 
with other potential users," said AVTA program manager Lee Slezak. 
"Our goal is to help develop more efficient advanced vehicle technologies 
that are widely accepted as being as reliable and cost effective as 
conventional technologies," Slezak said. 
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, UPS is celebrating its 100th birthday 
this year.   

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