FedEx Express has plans to buy 51 additional gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles from Azure Dynamics Corporation, rounding out its total fleet of hybrid electric and electric vehicles to 325 after the new step-vans are delivered

. The company expects the new vehicles to be put into service at a Bronx, N.Y. station.

"Even during a challenging fiscal year, FedEx has continued to make investments in hybrid electric and electric vehicles a priority because of the long-term value in vehicle technologies that reduce fuel costs and pollution," said John Formisano, vice president of global vehicles, FedEx Express. "FedEx now operates seven different hybrid or electric truck models around the globe, demonstrating that commercial delivery vans can reduce pollution and increase efficiency without any sacrifice in performance and durability."

"The tough driving and delivery conditions of New York City, mainly the stop-and-go-traffic, is an ideal environment to prove that efficient and cleaner transportation technologies are a viable alternative to conventionally equipped trucks," said Mitch Jackson, director of environmental affairs and sustainability at FedEx Corp.

The new Azure step-vans include electric-launch assist, engine-off at idle and regenerative braking, which help in start-and-stop conditions. The company expects to see a 30 percent savings in fuel.

Currently FedEx operates 274 hybrid electric and electric vehicles around the world, including 20 Azure Balance Hybrid Electric gasoline step-vans in California. According to FedEx, its hybrid fleet has reduced fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons since 2004.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority plans to provide a grant to FedEx for the Azure hybrids. NYSERDA, in part, aims to maintain momentum for the state's efforts to develop competitive markets for energy efficiency.

More info: fedex.com/us or www.azuredynamics.com