FedEx to purchase 51 hybrid vehicles from Azure Dynamics

FedEx Express, the cargo airline subsidiary of FedEx, has reported that it will purchase 51 additional gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles from Azure Dynamics, a Canadian supplier of hybrid electric vehicle and electric vehicle control and powertrain systems.

FedEx has said that its fleet of hybrid electric and electric vehicles will total 325 when all 51 hybrid step-vans are delivered during November 2009 and December 2009.

Most of the new gasoline-electric vehicles are expected to be put into service at a Bronx, New York station, making it all-hybrid facility with about 100 trucks.

John Formisano, vice president of global vehicles at FedEx Express, said: "Even during a challenging fiscal year, FedEx has continued to make investments in hybrid electric and electric vehicles a priority because of the long-term value in vehicle technologies that reduce fuel costs and pollution.

"FedEx now operates seven different hybrid or electric truck models around the globe, demonstrating that commercial delivery vans can reduce pollution and increase efficiency without any sacrifice in performance and durability."