UPS Unveils New Electric Delivery Trucks With 150+ Mile Range

Electric delivery vehicles could help to significantly reduce pollution in major cities and UPS has announced it is working with ARRIVAL to develop a fleet of eco-friendly models.

According to UPS, they have been working with ARRIVAL since 2016 and have developed a number of different prototypes of various sizes. The first vehicles are slated to hit the road last this year and the company has plans for a state-of-the-art fleet of 35 electric delivery vehicles.

The vehicles will eventually be deployed in London and Paris as part of a pilot program which will examine how well they work in a delivery environment. Specifications are elusive but UPS says the trucks are “lightweight composite vehicles” which will be able to travel more than 150 miles (240 km) on a single charge. UPS notes this is a “significantly” longer range than existing options and stated “ARRIVAL is the first commercial vehicle manufacturer in Europe to provide purpose-built electric delivery vehicles to UPS’s specifications.”

Besides the generous electric range, the delivery vehicles will be equipped with advanced driver assistance systems that promise to improve safety and reduce driver fatigue. There’s no word on specifics but UPS went on to say the trucks will have a “highly advanced vehicle display” which will be intelligent and connected.

In a statement, ARRIVAL CEO Denis Sverdlov said “We’re excited to collaborate with UPS to create an affordable, modular, fully electric delivery vehicle designed to make deliveries in our busy cities clean and quiet.” He added, “With its unique, wrap-around front window the driver has a much wider field of view that improves not only the safety of the driver but also that of cyclists and pedestrians.”

The new delivery trucks will join UPS’ growing fleet of eco-friendly vehicles which already includes more than 300 electric vehicles and nearly 700 hybrids. The company notes they started using electric vehicles back in the 1930s and have already placed an order for 125 Tesla semi trucks.