FedEx increases sustainability commitment

   FedEx has achieved 22 percent improvement in its vehicle fuel economy, surpassing a 20-percent benchmark it set in 2008 seven years early.
   The company has now set a new target of 30 percent fuel-efficiency improvement over 2008 levels by 2020.
   The company has made these emissions improvements by increasing the size of its electric vehicle fleet, which will encompass 360 hybrid-electric and 200 electric trucks by the end of the year. Fuel consumption has also improved by purchasing more efficient engines and adding lower-weight vehicles into its fleet.
   FedEx Express officials expect to save 20 million gallons of fuel in 2013.
   “FedEx Express follows a three-tiered strategy to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet: Reduce, Replace and Revolutionize,” FedEx Express’ Dennis Beal said in a statement. “This holistic approach to fleet management allows us to develop vehicle technologies for the future while maximizing the conventional vehicles we operate today.”
   Fuel-efficiency improvements aren’t limited to FedEx Express. FedEx Freight is currently testing liquefied natural gas engines, and FedEx Ground is experimenting with hybrid hydraulic delivery vehicles. Last year, FedEx announced it had increased its global aircraft emissions-reduction goal from 20 percent to 30 percent by 2020. – Jon Ross