FedEx Express has placed the first of its new, low-emission, hybrid electric powered delivery vehicles into service in concert with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Environmental Defense and Eaton Corp.

The official roll out took place at a state capitol ceremony Tuesday, attended by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicle will decrease particulate emissions by 90%, reduce smog-causing emissions by 75% and travel 50% farther on a gallon of fuel, reducing fuel costs by one-third.
Two FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicles have been tested in Sacramento since late February following an agreement with the Sacramento AQMD to demonstrate the commercial viability of the lower-emission powertrain in heavy-duty vehicles. The project was made possible in part by a grant provided by the AQMD.
FedEx Express will place 18 additional hybrid electric diesel delivery trucks into service in selected cities throughout 2004. New York City, Houston, Washington, D.C., Denver and several other cities are possible locations for future rollouts of the hybrid electric trucks. These hybrid electric vehicles will endure real world FedEx operating conditions during 2004 to verify and prove their viability in commercial applications.