MOTORING NEWS - FedEx Express is currently operating the first fuel-cell electric delivery van for on-road use in the US. The zero emission van is a collaboration between Workhorse Group and Plug Power and is based on Workhorse's electric delivery van, using Plug Power's hydrogen fuel-cell to recharge.
The van is currently in use at FedEx's facility in Menands, New York, on a standard delivery route.
The Workhorse EGEN truck is designed for all-electric operation on short routes and known duty cycles. The added fuel-cell from Plug Power will increase the EGEN's range by 166% to 257km per cycle and has zero emissions.
The fuel-cell unit has seen a total of 4 828 on-road kilometres in initial testing and is expected to see another 43 452km of on-road drive time over the next six months. FedEx expects to use the van in normal duty cycles, including all types of inclement weather and driving conditions.
Refuelling of the EGEN fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is undertaken in Latham, New York, at a Plug Power hydrogen fuel station.
The station was one of the first hydrogen stations on the east coast of the US.
"The Workhorse EGEN zero-emission delivery vehicle has reinvented package delivery," said Workhorse CEO Steve Burns. "With the capability of charging en route, via the on-board ProGen hydrogen engine, range anxiety is virtually eliminated."
Mitch Jackson, chief sustainability officer of FedEx Corporation, says FedEx is committed to investing in safer and more sustainable transportation solutions in its global network.
"As part of our 'Reduce, Replace, Revolutionise' vehicle strategy, this is one way we're working to revolutionise transportation while making our communities more live-able."
Article: Plug Power
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