I was reminded recently of a fact-sheet I worked on with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority about United Parcel Service (UPS) using CNG trucks in the Rochester area of New York (I believe). Now UPS wants to finally go electric.

In a recent announcement by Electric Vehicles International (EVI):

EVI announced that UPS has begun a 90-day demonstration trial of their walk-in van (EVI-WI). Over the past year, EVI and UPS have worked together to develop a vehicle to meet the needs of the parcel delivery service industry.

According to UPS, the EVI-WI is built on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) glider equipped with a Utilimaster body. Earlier this year, EVI received California Air Resource Board (CARB) approval for the EVI-WI. Customers who purchase the EVI-WI can take advantage of a $20,000 CARB rebate through the Hybrid Truck and Bus Incentive Project (HVIP).

The 90-day demonstration process with UPS will be split into three 30-day, smaller demonstrations in vastly different regional locations. The vehicle demonstration will begin in:

Sacramento, California
San Francisco, California
Reno, Nevada.

“We are excited to partner with UPS and to see the results of the demonstration” said Steve Riley,Vice President of Sales and Marketing for EVI. “We believe the 3 regional locations will help provethat our truck can perform in any setting from urban to hills and various climate conditions,” said Riley.

“UPS has been supporting emerging alternative fuel technologies since the 1930s with our first electric powered vehicles operating in New York City,” said Mike Britt, Director of Automotive Maintenance and Engineering. “We currently operate over 2,000 alternative fuel vehicles worldwidewith a variety of hybrid, electric and natural gas technologies. This project extends our commitment to addressing our environmental impact in the communities where we operate.”