The company released its 13th annual Sustainability Report, highlighting its growing investment in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. With its “Rolling Laboratory” approach, UPS has added a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles last year, increasing the number of vehicles by 61% over 2013 and adding 1,100 NGVs. According to the report, it logged 154 million miles in 2014 toward its goal of driving 1 billion miles with the fleet by the end of 2017 – an almost threefold increase from 2013.
“It took 13 years to drive the first 350 million miles with our alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet,” said Rhonda Clark, UPS chief sustainability officer and vice president of environmental affairs. “In just one year we were able to build dramatically on that number and we are now more than halfway to our 2017 goal. With continued investments in this fleet, we are doing our part to help transform the transportation industry.”
UPS reported that 5.4% – or 25 million gallons – of its total gasoline and diesel purchased in 2014 was displaced with alternative fuels including natural gas, propane, ethanol, biomethane, renewable diesel, and electricity. The commitment to alternative fuel and advanced technologies will allow UPS to reduce its annual use of gasoline and diesel 12% by the end of 2017.
The report also highlights two global trends facing the transportation and logistics industry: an increase in consumer e-commerce and growth in urbanization. “This growth generates unique challenges for us, our customers and the communities we serve. UPS is committed to meeting those challenges, minimizing our impact on the environment and paving the way for a more sustainable future,” added Clark.
Source: UPS
