Electric vehicles are starting to come in all shapes and sizes – as demonstrated by UPS’s latest venture with the technology.
The delivery service has started a 90-day demonstration trial of the Electric Vehicles International (EVI) walk-in van (WI) which is built on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation glider with a utilimaster body.
Over the last year UPS has worked closely with Electric Vehicles International in an effort to develop a van that would meet the needs of its parcel delivery service. When EVI received approval for the EVI-WI from the California Air Resources Board it meant that customers could take advantage of a $20,000 rebate through the hybrid truck and bus incentive programme.
The drivetrain for the EVI-WI uses a 99kWh lithium-ion battery pack from Valence alongside a 200kW motor with a five-speed automatic manual transmission. Its average range is 90miles and its maximum speed is 60mph.
Now UPS has embarked on a 90 day trial in different locations – starting in Sacramento, followed by San Francisco and concluding in Reno.
