Package peddler: UPS testing electric bikes for deliveries to help fight climate change
In an effort to help reduce its carbon footprint and prevent the effects of climate change, UPS has come up with a new way to deliver millions of packages in the world's most congested cities.
The company is currently testing out electric cycles called eQuads in New York City and hopes to expand them to other cities across the country, replacing some of the larger brown trucks we're all used to seeing.
"We do have this eQuad operating in Germany and some European cities like London and Paris," said UPS Vice President of Public Affairs Axel Carrión. "We've very excited about the potential this eQuad can bring right here in New York City and in the U.S."
The new eQuads are electric to help reduce the company's carbon footprint. (Credit: UPS / FOX Weather)
According to UPS, the eQuads use no gas, are carbon-neutral and human-powered.
"They're part of our entire global fleet," Carrión said. "We have over 13,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles in our fleet. We have over 1,000 electric vehicles and plug-ins in our network."
Carrión said the addition of the eQuads is part of a larger plan for UPS to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as achieving 40% alternative fuel in the company's fleet.
The summer months generally have great weather for biking, but fall and winter mean snow-covered streets for parts of the country. UPS officials said the company still plans on using the new eQuads during winter weather.
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In an effort to help reduce its carbon footprint and prevent the devastating effects of climate change, UPS has come up with a new way to deliver millions of packages in the world’s most congested cities.
"We do plan to utilize this year-round," Carrión said. "We do operate in Germany. Germany doesn't have the best weather sometimes. Right now, it's warm weather. But we do plan to utilize this type of technology in more inclement weather, especially here and in places like Chicago, where we know we could see some serious snow. But we do plan to incorporate that type of technology into our system."
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The eQuads are 34 inches wide and can run at speeds up to 15 mph, which would allow for them to be used in bike lanes in major cities, too.
"It's very nimble," Carrión said. "Especially in some of our narrow streets, some of the areas where it would be a little more difficult for our larger vehicles to pass through or find parking. It can carry up to 440 lbs of cargo."
In addition, Carrión said they can travel up to 40 miles per charge before it needs to be juiced up again and return to the streets.