In The News

UPS adding more fuel-efficient vehicles to fleet

ATLANTA — UPS, the world’s largest shipping carrier, said Tuesday it has ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles and another 300 compressed natural gas vehicles as it seeks to make its fleet more fuel efficient and environment-friendly.

The Atlanta-based company, also known as United Parcel Service Inc., did not say how much it is paying for the 500 vehicles, which will increase UPS’ alternative fuel fleet from 1,718 to 2,218 low-carbon vehicles — more than 2 percent of its worldwide fleet of 93,000.

The 200 hybrid electric vehicles, which will be used starting in 2009, are expected to save 176,000 gallons of fuel annually. The 300 compressed natural gas vehicles will be used starting later this year.

It is buying the chassis for the trucks from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., with Eaton Corp. supplying the hybrid power system for the hybrid electric vehicles.

The truck bodies are identical externally to the signature-brown trucks that now comprise the UPS fleet with additional script markings that will identify them as compressed natural gas or hybrid electric vehicles.