UPS Deploys Fuel Cell Vans

09/26/2004

UPS has deployed its first three large package delivery vehicles on American highways powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This marks an expansion in the shipping company's fuel cell testing program, moving from the small F-Cell fuel cell vehicle, based on the European Mercedes-Benz A-Class, to the fuel cell powered Dodge Sprinter, an Americanized version of the Mercedes-Benz full-size van that is popular in Europe.

The collaboration between UPS, the Environmental Protection Agency, and DaimlerChrysler took to the road in March 2004 when the F-Cell delivery vehicle began delivering packages in southeastern Michigan. Following testing of a medium-duty vehicle in Germany, three fuel cell-powered Dodge Sprinters are now ready for deployment in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

According to DaimlerChrysler, the new fuel cell Sprinters achieve a 20% increase in powertrain efficiency, a 40% increase in range to 155 miles, and a 45% increase in peak power compared to the first fuel cell Sprinter. Acceleration is claimed to be similar to a gas- or diesel-powered UPS vehicle and cargo capacity is up 10% compared to diesel-powered Sprinters currently in use. UPS expects reduced maintenance expenses due to the long life of the fuel cell drivetrain, but the availability of hydrogen refueling stations remains a considerable hurdle.

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