FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, has signed agreements with Azure Dynamics Corporation, a developer of hybrid-electric and electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, to develop petrol parallel hybrid-electric powertrains for its delivery fleet.
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Under terms of the agreements, Azure will supply a parallel hybrid-electric test vehicle to FedEx Express for the Ford E-450 hybrid commercial delivery van development programme.
Once the development phase is completed, FedEx Express will purchase a minimum of 20 pre-production vans to be delivered by May 2008.
“FedEx Express introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to the commercial vehicle market six years ago, and we look forward to further advancing this important, environmentally-conscious initiative with Ford and Azure Dynamics,” said John Formisano, vice president, global vehicles, FedEx Express. “We continue to look for opportunities for economic efficiencies, environmental stewardship and being a good corporate citizen. We are encouraged that this project can do just that.”
“These agreements with FedEx Express provide an opportunity for greater customer input in product development, as well as a high-profile, multinational fleet as a lead customer for the Ford E-450 parallel hybrid electric vehicle,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics. “We look forward to our association with FedEx Express, and to working with Ford in support of the FedEx commitment to cleaner-energy transportation solutions.”
In 2004, FedEx Express introduced the FedEx OptiFleet E700, an ‘environmentally-superior’ delivery truck, into its delivery fleet.
