Electric delivery vehicles could help to
significantly reduce pollution in major cities and UPS has announced it is
working with ARRIVAL to develop a fleet of eco-friendly models. According to
UPS, they have been working with ARRIVAL since 2016 and have developed a number
of different prototypes of various sizes. The first vehicles are slated to hit
the road last this year and the company has plans for a state-of-the-art fleet
of 35 electric delivery vehicles.
The vehicles will eventually be deployed in London
and Paris as part of a pilot program which will examine how well they work in a
delivery environment. Specifications are elusive but UPS says the trucks are
“lightweight composite vehicles” which will be able to travel more than 240 km on a single charge. UPS notes this is a “significantly” longer
range than existing options and stated “ARRIVAL is the first commercial vehicle
manufacturer in Europe to provide purpose-built electric delivery vehicles to UPS’s
specifications.”
Besides the generous electric range, the delivery
vehicles will be equipped with advanced driver assistance systems that promise
to improve safety and reduce driver fatigue. There’s no word on specifics but
UPS went on to say the trucks will have a “highly advanced vehicle display”
which will be intelligent and connected.
The new delivery trucks will join UPS’ growing fleet
of eco-friendly vehicles which already includes more than 300 electric vehicles
and nearly 700 hybrids. The company notes they started using electric vehicles
back in the 1930s and have already placed an order for 125 Tesla semi trucks.
