A UPS (NYSE:UPS) led consortium has deployed a radical new charging
technology in London that overcomes the challenge of simultaneously
recharging an entire fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) without the
need for the expensive upgrade to the power supply grid. The
breakthrough signals the beginning of the end of a reliance upon
traditional combustion engine powered vehicles by allowing UPS to
increase the number of EVs operating from its central London site
from the current limit of 65 to all 170 trucks based there. This
major advance – believed to be the first time these systems have
been deployed at this scale anywhere in the world – is the result
of the ‘Smart Electric Urban Logistics (SEUL)’ project with UK
Power Networks and Cross River Partnership, with funding secured
from the UK’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
“UPS thinks 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,” said Peter
Harris, director of sustainability, UPS Europe. “Electric vehicles
are an integral component within UPS’s alternative fuel and
advanced technology fleet. Our collaboration with UK Power Networks
and Cross River Partnership marks a major turning point in the cost
effective deployment of electric vehicles which in turn will play a
key role in ensuring the global trend toward urbanization is
sustainable. We are applying new technology to make the charging
process smarter and our delivery service cleaner.”
As a result of this initiative, combined with the advances the
company announced just last month in reducing the cost of electric
vehicles, UPS believes the day is rapidly drawing closer when the
acquisition costs to put an electric vehicle on the road, including
those associated with getting power to the vehicle, will be lower
than the equivalent costs of its diesel counterpart. This
development will be instrumental in enabling electric vehicles to
be deployed at scale in the world’s cities which is an essential
component of tackling the air quality challenges in these urban
environments.
“This trailblazing solution has enabled UPS to increase their
electric vehicle fleet without upgrading their network connection,
paving the way for future electrification of delivery vehicles in
our cities,” said Ian Smyth of UK Power Networks Services. “We are
delighted to work with UPS and our other partners to design,
deliver and operate this sustainable smart-grid solution. This
project will deliver a huge impact on improving the air quality for
Londoners and contribute to UPS’s legacy of sustainability.”
A key part of this initiative is the use of onsite energy
storage batteries. Although new batteries have been deployed at
this stage, it is envisaged that in the future these could be
second-life batteries that have already been used in a UPS EV.
Together with the smart-grid, this will pave the way toward a UPS
EV infrastructure strategy that can dynamically make use of a
conventional power upgrade, a smart grid, onsite storage, and in
many cases, local power generation including solar and other
alternative sources.
“Our previous work on electric freight vehicles has shown that
local grid infrastructure constraints are one of the main barriers
to their large-scale uptake,” said Tanja Dalle-Muenchmeyer,
programme manager electric freight at Cross River Partnership.
“We need to find smarter solutions to electric vehicle
charging if we want to benefit from the significant air quality and
environmental benefits these vehicles offer, and we believe this is
such a solution.”
UPS has a long history with EVs, having first introduced them
into its fleet in the 1930s, and, reintroduced modern EVs in 2001.
Currently, UPS has more than 300 electric vehicles and nearly 700
hybrid electric vehicles deployed in Europe and the U.S. The
company recently ordered 125 new fully-electric Semi tractors to be
built by Tesla in 2019, one of the largest pre-orders to date.
Additionally, last September, UPS announced it will become the
first commercial customer in the U.S. to start using three
medium-duty electric trucks from Daimler Trucks Fuso brand, called
the eCanter.
Notes to Editor
These initiatives will help UPS attain its goal of one in four
new vehicles purchased by 2020 being an alternative fuel or
advanced technology vehicle. The company also has pledged to obtain
25 percent of the electricity it consumes from renewable energy
sources by 2025 and replace 40 percent of all ground fuel with
sources other than conventional gasoline and diesel, an increase
from 19.6 percent in 2016.
UPS operates one of the largest private alternative fuel and
advanced technology fleets in the U.S. Now at more than 9,000
vehicles worldwide, the fleet includes all-electric, hybrid
electric, hydraulic hybrid, ethanol, compressed natural gas (CNG),
liquefied natural gas (LNG) and propane.
Addressing the Charging Challenge
Recharging a fleet of electric vehicles can be extremely
expensive as it often requires upgrades to the external power grid,
an option not attractive to most businesses or operators. This
system will allow UPS to increase the number of EVs operating from
the central London site from the current limit of 65 to all 170
trucks stationed there -- without the need for such upgrades. This
is achieved with a smart-grid which uses a central server which is
connected to each EV charge post as well as the grid power supply
and the on-site energy storage.
The system adopts an “intelligent” approach to charging by
spreading this throughout the night so that the building can use
the power it needs to run the business of logistics (lights,
sortation machinery and IT) and ensure that all EVs are fully
charged by the time they are needed in the morning, but at the same
time never exceed the maximum power available from the grid.
As a result of this project and the learning that comes with the
related investments, UPS can now tailor the lowest cost approach
building by building and determine how best to adopt and charge a
fully electric fleet. This will be accomplished by combining a
variety of solutions including conventional power grid upgrade,
smart grid, on-site energy storage with batteries and local power
generation (using, for example, solar energy generated on facility
roof tops).
For more information on UPS's sustainability initiatives, please
visit www.ups.com/sustainability.
About UPS
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a
broad range of solutions including transporting packages and
freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced
technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. UPS is
committed to operating more sustainably – for customers, the
environment and the communities we serve around the world.
Learn more about our efforts at ups.com/sustainability.
Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and
territories worldwide. The company can be found on the web at
ups.com and its corporate blog can be found at
longitudes.ups.com. To get UPS news direct,
follow @UPS_News on Twitter.
About UK Power Networks Services
UK Power Networks Services finances, designs,
develops, delivers and manages safe and sustainable power systems
and multi-utility networks for owners of major infrastructure and
is the commercial division of UK Power Networks.
We serve important clients in both the public
and private sector, including EdF (Hinkley Point C), the four major
London airports, the High Speed 1 rail network, Network Rail,
London Underground, Ministry of Defence, Docklands Light Railway
and Canary Wharf. UK Power Networks Services are at the forefront
of the integration of renewable innovative energy systems, changing
electricity demand and the digitisation of distribution networks.
Our clients require smarter, better managed and versatile systems
to meet the demands imposed by their financial and operational
drivers. Our team utilises Distribution Energy Resources to assist
business’ in dealing with their energy challenges.
About Cross River Partnership
Cross River Partnership (CRP) is central
London’s largest public-private partnership and has been delivering
regeneration projects in the capital since 1994. Over the last 23
years CRP has worked to support sustainable growth across London,
developing and delivering innovative pilot projects with, and for
our partners, including 19 Business Improvement Districts, local
authorities and public service providers such as Transport for
London and the Greater London Authority. Improving air quality is
one of CRP’s four overall objectives. CRP has co-ordinated the
4.5-year FREVUE project during which 80 fully electric vans and
trucks were deployed across eight European cities. For more
information please see www.crossriverpartnership.org.
Kiran Behal, UPS
0208 279 7224
kiranbehal@ups.com
James Rollinson, Edelman
0203 047 2194
James.Rollinson@edelman.com
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