(Watford, 11 July 2008): Iveco has delivered 10 diesel-electric hybrid Daily vans to FedEx Express as part of an extended field evaluation in conjunction with the world's largest express air delivery company.
The trials will be conducted on routes between Milan and Turin using the latest generation of hybrid technology, developed by Iveco and exhibited for the first time at the RAI Show in Amsterdam last October. The state-of-the-art vehicles enable fuel savings of up to 30 per cent in urban environments, with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions versus the standard Daily. This is made possible using sophisticated control and operation systems like Stop & Start, launch in electric mode and energy recovery from braking.
It is expected that the fleet of ten Daily hybrid vehicles will serve to reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by approximately 6,000 litres, with a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions of about 15 tonnes in comparison to conventional power train vehicles.
Commenting on the trial, Paolo Monferino, Iveco's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are committed to the development of this technology and the next step is to
make it affordable for our customers. In order to meet customer demand, Iveco will introduce hybrid power train technology in our vehicle production facilities by the end of 2009."
John Formisano, FedEx Express Vice President of Global Vehicles, added: "This investment demonstrates FedEx's continuing commitment to aid in the further development of hybrid-electric commercial vehicles across the globe, and reflects the growing commercial viability of this technology."
This landmark trial is only the first stage of this new agreement between Iveco and FedEx Express, which have been actively working together in the development of this technology. FedEx Express will also be the first company to test this new technology in other European cities, with further vehicles to be trialed in Paris shortly.
Drivers of the first Daily hybrid vehicles in Italy have commented that they are ideal for commercial use because of their exceptional manoeuvrability. Following a programme of driver training, FedEx Express couriers were overwhelmingly positive in their praise for the performance, drivability, and ease-of-use of the Daily hybrid vans.
Iveco
Iveco designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, city and intercity buses and coaches as well as special vehicles for applications such as fire fighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection.
Iveco employs over 24,500 people and runs 28 production units in 16 Countries in the world using excellent technologies developed in five research centres.
Besides Europe, the company operates in China, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa. More than 4,600 service outlets in over 100 Countries
guarantee technical support wherever in the world an Iveco vehicle is at work.