Printable Version FedEx introduces environmentally-friendly express deliveries in central Paris

FedEx is working in partnership with Urban-Cab, a Paris-based leader in 100% ecological passenger transport, to provide efficient and environmentally friendly package deliveries in the heart of the French capital.

We have been carrying out trials with different lightweight electrically powered vehicles supplied by Urban-Cab in central Paris since January 2009.  During this period the two vehicles (a small van, knows as a “ Goupil “ or “ Gem, “ and an electrically-assisted tricycle, the “ Urban-Cargo “) fully met all our required operating criteria whilst successfully delivering more than 2,400 documents and small packages, with an average of about fifteen emission-free stops per hour.  We now plan to increase the number of vehicles to five and to expand FedEx delivery coverage in central Paris.  This will not only provide environmental benefits in general by reducing the need for large trucks and vans but will enable us to speed deliveries by better negotiating dense city centre traffic and also accessing pedestrian-only areas.

A recent TNS-Sofres survey indicates that 37% of the French population considers the environment to be one of their major concerns.  Our leading role in trialing and using ecologically responsible vehicles in association with Urban-Cab demonstrates FedEx continuing commitment to reducing our environmental impact.  This latest initiative in France adds to our global fleet of 170 hybrid electric vehicles and mirrors our use and development of solar-powered buildings and similar initiatives in the US, Germany and elsewhere.

For more information on Urban-Cab and its vehicles, visit www.urban-cab.com.