The two companies announced recently FedEx Express will begin testing the Nissan e-NV200 in Washington, D.C. FedEx and Nissan have done similar tests of the battery-electric cargo van in Brazil, Singapore, Japan, and the United Kingdom, but this will be the first real-world test in North America.
Both companies are dedicated to reducing their environmental impact. Incorporating the e-NV200 into their fleet is part of FedEx’s EarthSmart program focused on global sustainability while the partnership aligns with Nissan’s Blue Citizenship program which aims to increase the number of vehicles on the road that emit no greenhouse gases.
The tests in Washington, D.C. will help determine if an electric fleet vehicle is in fact a viable, sustainable option for delivery service. Currently, FedEx Express operates 365 hybrid electric vehicles and 167 electric vehicles in China, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, and the U.S. with plans to increase those numbers to 393 and 222 by May 2014. In Europe, mass production of the electric fleet vehicle will begin later this year.