Who Knew? Brown Is Green

Uber-shipper UPS says it will begin testing two new hydraulic hybrid vehicles in the first quarter of 2009 and will deploy another five sometime before 2010. The new HHVs junk the classic transmission in favor of a series diesel hydraulic hybrid drive that powers the rear axle and can boost fuel economy in the big brown trucks by as much as 50%

The HHV isn't immune from the "hybrid premium." The company estimates that each new HHV will come with a $7,000 bump, but with a savings of 50% in fuel, it's a premium that UPS is happy to pay. Brown estimates that each of its conventional delivery vehicles costs between $40K and $50K. The EPA says that Brown should be able to recover the $7K hybrid hit within three years of operation.

The new truck was developed as a public-private partnership between the EPA and Eaton Corp, and UPS handled the prototype testing. The design uses regenerative braking to power fluid and air pumps within the vehicle. Brown has been quietly testing the HHVs on its Detroit-area routes for a bit, but plans to deploy the vehicles in the Minneapolis, MN area.

UPS isn't new to testing alternative vehicles. The company has a fleet of about 1,600 low-carbon trucks, including all-electric, hybrid-electric, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas and propane-powered trucks, and has been testing alternative fuels and drives since the 1930's. Combined with other green vehicle purchases this year, Brown will start 2009 with a fleet of 2,100 non-conventional vehicles, the largest private green fleet in the transportation industry.

Source and Photo: UPS