UPS Unveils Electric Delivery Trucks Of The Future, And Boy Are They Cute!
Cute electric UPS trucks of the future.
UPS announced on Wednesday, a partnership with UK-based technology company Arrival to develop what it calls a “pilot fleet” of 35 electric trucks.
“UPS is working with ARRIVAL here in the UK because their smart electric vehicles are helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuel. This is a pioneering collaboration that helps UPS develop new ways to reduce our emissions,” said Luke Wake, international director for automotive engineering in the advanced technology group at UPS. “UPS is marshaling its global scale to encourage innovation within the automotive industry. We are helping to drive demand for these disruptive technologies. The result is a safer and cleaner fleet for the communities in which we deliver.”
When unveiling the vehicle last year, Arrival talked about a “revolutionary ultra-lightweight composite materials that significantly reduce the weight of the vehicle and by combining this technology with Arrival’s custom built hardware, including power electronics and motors, the cost of operating has been reduced by more than 50%.
The electric car home charging station installation cost equipment has decreased in recent years and the cost of installation should decrease as installations become more common for electricians. The 2017 State of the Charge Report forecasts that the EV charger market will increase at 50% a year through 2025, which should drive costs down.
Now, the electric UPS trucks have zero tailpipe emissions and a range of 150 miles on a single charge. They’ll also come with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), that will ultimately identify and address driver fatigue to improve safety on the roads.
The new electric trucks are still in the familiar UPS brown color and have the company’s logo on the side, but have soft curves all around. The new trucks have gotten a bit of a makeover. In the front they are flat and big, and now they have tinted windows that could improve the driver’s ability to see traffic and obstacles on the road.
The UPS-Arrival pilot program will kick off with 35 electric delivery vehicles cruising streets across London and Paris. UPS hopes to have the first trucks on the road by the end of this year.
