| Light Duty Fueled to succeed By Josh Smith, Assistant Editor How a trio of major fl eets have benefi ted from using alternative fuels Mike Britt, director of maintenance and engineering – international operations, UPS ( www.ups. com) – a global logistics provider, including transporting packages and freight – says his company has more than 7,200 alternative fuel trucks on the street and has invested more than $750 million globally in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations since 2009. “Our goal is to reduce carbon expenditure, reduce operating costs and be a good steward of the environment,” he says. “Alternative fuel use is one part of that equation.” Britt says there are a number of key methods to reducing overall fuel use, such as: • Reducing miles driven by using advanced algorithms for more effi cient route design. • Using the right truck for the right route. • Deploying automotive maintenance technologies like telematics to reduce overall maintenance. • Improving operating performance. Likewise, Rae Lyn Rushing, media relations spokesperson at FedEx (www.FedEx.com) – a provider of transportation, e-commerce and business services – explains her company has a similar focus on reducing its environmental impact and is committed to conserving energy by fi nding alternative renewable fuels. “We have a defi ned, high-level strategy: reduce, replace, revolutionize,” explains Rushing, adding the fi rst step is optimized routes to reduce mileage driven. “Replacing vehicles is next, so we’ve also introduced more effi cient models with 4-cylinder, sub 3L diesel engines – which are much more effi cient – and maximized fuel economy by reprogramming vehicles to run at optimal levels for their weight and load. “Excitingly, we’re also focused on new technology – the revolutionize phase. We’re looking at electric vehicles, fuel cells and hybrids, among others.” FedEx has nearly 1,900 alternative-fuel vehicles in its fl eet. Various fl eets have found that adding the appropriate alternative fuel vehicle to a particular application can achieve a variety of objectives. UPS, by way of example, has 7,200 alternative fuel trucks in operation, like this propane-fueled vehicle, in an effort to meet energy-reduction goals and positively impact the environment. Photo courtesy of UPS When it comes to selecting an alternative fuel, fl eets have a number of factors to consider. Th ose factors increase exponentially as the size of the fl eet expands. Th ree of the largest parcel delivery companies in the world have embraced alternative fuels for their vehicles, and as a result, are achieving energy-reduction goals and making positive impacts to the environment, as well as to their bottom line. 30 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ OCTOBER 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com
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