UPS Smart-Grid Signals “The Beginning of The End” For Combustion Engine Cars

Delivery company UPS has been innovating ways to make its transportation services more efficient and effective. A year ago, they experimented with drone-launching trucks. Now, the company is trying to expand their electric vehicle (EV) fleet by using smart-grids. #automagic

UPS currently operates one of the largest fleets of vehicles in the world and many of its trucks in England going electric. With 65 of their 170 trucks in central London being EVs, UPS is aware of the direction the automobile industry is heading and leading the charge.

Not only are they expanding their fleet, the company is partnering with the Smart Electric Urban Logistics (SEUL) project and introducing a new smart-grid technology that “signals the beginning of the end of a reliance upon traditional combustion engine powered vehicles.” The grid uses a central server which is connected to every charge post, the grid power supply, and any on-site energy storage. Charge for the trucks would be spread overnight, ensuring that all EVs are charged by the morning while still making sure that charging never exceeds the maximum power available.

“This is a world first, right in the heart of a mega-city. We are using new technology to work around some big obstacles to electric vehicle deployment, heralding a new generation of sustainable urban delivery services both here in London and in other major cities around the world,” stated the company in their press release. By employing this smart grid, UPS hopes that the costs of switching from diesel and gasoline to electric will be lower, speed up the transition to EVs, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, the company is expanding its EV fleet with the help of Tesla by ordering 125 Semi tricks and converting the existing 1,500 New York trucks.