...very slowly. Next year, UPS is planning on deploying seven, yes, a whole 7 hybrid diesel delivery trucks. UPS has about 90,000 vehicles in it's fleet. I understand that the hybrid delivery trucks cost about $7,000 more, but still..geez...only seven? Is this blatant green-washing?
UPS currently employs 2,129 low-carbon vehicles in it's delivery fleet. If you add in those 7 hybrid trucks next year, that should bring the total to 2,136 "eco-friendly" delivery trucks (electric, hybrid electric, CNG, LNG & propane-powered vehicles), or 2.3% of its fleet. I suppose it's a start.
This hybrid technology is estimated to improve the the fuel economy of these delivery trucks by 45% to 50% and decreased carbon emissions by 30% when compared with traditional diesel vehicles. I'm just waiting for this technology to spread to a wider audience before getting too hopeful. There are a whole lot of diesel delivery & work trucks out there that start and stop constantly. Buses, garbage trucks - just think - whatever you get stuck behind the next time you are late - could all potentially be a significantly healthier. And less stinky.
Here's an article I found from February 2007 with regards to prototype hybrid diesel trucks. Several corporations that use large diesel work trucks were running trials of hybrid diesel trucks - but the cost was prohibitive, which keeps production down, which keeps demand low. Ah, the double edged sword that is mass production. Apparently, this technology isn't that new - it was around at least as early as Feb. 2007. UPS just finally decided to buy a whopping SEVEN of these trucks.
Did you know that a garbage truck, on average, gets 4 miles/gallon? Lets see... my giant SUV (seats 8), which I am about to take to the dump (fully loaded- I go about once a month), gets 20 miles/gallon. From that transfer station, I'm sure the waste & recycling gets loaded on a large truck and transported...somewhere...far away... but at least that truck isn't starting and stopping every 100 feet and idling while it gets filled up.
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