UPS Expands UK and German Green Fleets

, November 10, 2008

UPS today announced an order of twelve electric vehicles from Modec, the manufacturer of the world's first purpose-built zero-emission van. Six vehicles will be introduced into UPS's UK fleet in February 2009, including the vehicle that was used for testing until now. The remaining six will operate in Germany.

The quiet, zero-emission vehicle is the first of its kind to effectively harness the power of modern, high energy batteries to meet the medium range, high performance requirements of hard working, urban delivery vehicles.

Developed by British manufacturer Modec, the vehicles will operate out of UPS's Camden facility, which lies within London's Low Emission Zone and is the company's central package facility in the capital.

The order follows a successful nine month trial of the vehicle's capabilities earlier this year, where it averaged eighteen miles per day and a battery consumption of 25% of full charge per day during the course of its operations in North-West, East and Central London. Each zero emission vehicle can undertake one hundred miles on one overnight charge, with batteries in future models set to increase the range to 150 miles per two-three hour charge. Because it is an electric vehicle, it requires no road tax, MOT or tachograph and is not liable for the congestion charge.

As a company reliant on its mobile workforce, UPS continually evaluates developments in sustainable technology and proactively seeks opportunities to improve environmental performance.

Jim Barber, Managing Director, UPS UK & Ireland, said: "This order represents an important step towards making our fleet and operations more sustainable in the UK. At UPS, we have an ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, and we are continually assessing how to make the best use of alternatively fuelled vehicles on a global level."

Jamie Borwick, Modec Chairman, said: "UPS is known throughout the world for reliability, because UPS takes great care to get things right. With Modec on board, UPS will be at the leading edge of automotive engineering as well as at the forefront of environmental consciousness. And the unique-looking Modec vehicle liveried in UPS branding will clearly show UPS's commitment to reducing emissions."

Globally, UPS has been utilising alternative fuel vehicles for more than 70 years. It currently operates the transportation industry's largest private fleet of alternative fuel vehicles. UPS's use of alternative fuel vehicles dates back to the 1930s with electric vehicles in New York City, and today the company uses alternative fuel vehicles in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the UK and the US.

UPS pursues a wide range of socially responsible and sustainable business practices designed to reduce the company's impact on the environment and improve communities around the world. UPS is included in the Dow Jones and FTSE4Good Sustainability Indexes, which evaluate corporations based on economic, environmental and social criteria. Learn more about UPS's responsible business practices at sustainability.ups.com.