UPS commits to electric trucks
The SMMT has reported that global delivery giant UPS is to increase the number of electric delivery trucks it uses in London by 40%.
This follows an investment of £3m in smart charging infrastructure in association with UK Power Networks.
The project, funded by Innovate UK, will incorporate battery energy storage at UPS’ depot in Kentish Town, north London, so that charging doesn’t put too much strain on the local power grid during peak times.
The vehicles will be charged directly from the network outside of peak times, with the battery taking over the charging when electricity demand increases in the local area.
The upgrades will mean that up to 150 electric vehicles can operate from the north London depot, three times the amount of UPS electric trucks currently operating in the city, making way for even more to join the fleet in the future.
Peter Harris, director of sustainability, UPS Europe, said, ‘UPS has a long heritage of deploying more sustainable alternative fuels and advanced technology – reducing its carbon footprint and progressing its green strategy.
‘Electric vehicles are a major component within our alternative fuel fleet and this partnership with UK Power Networks has the potential to transform the way we charge our electric vehicles in London. If successful, it will almost certainly be a key enabler for UPS to electrify its other fleets in the UK and beyond.’
