What we absolutely, positively, need
Posted August 12, 2010 at 12:37 pm 
Filed in: Economic Security, Electrification, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security So the WSJ runs a nice piece on EVs, complete with plaudits and pics of FedEx trucks. Could we blog about anything else today? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704271804575405191875066292.html
In a nice play on the old advertising campaign, Rebecca Smith’s article is entitled, “When a Truck Absolutely, Positively Doesn’t Use Fuel.” The well-written article goes on to detail the reasons behind Fed Ex’s strong support of vehicle electrification policies:
“Say ‘electric vehicle,’ and most people think of cars like the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt that will soon roll off assembly lines. But with a push from companies including FedEx Corp., attention is turning to commercial delivery trucks that may prove a surprisingly good fit for battery power.
“The delivery giant is exploring supplementing its diesel trucks with electrics because its trucks typically drive fairly short routes that battery power, with its limited range, could handle. Trucks also end the work day at maintenance yards where they could be recharged with lower-priced off-peak electricity.
“FedEx thinks electric vehicles could have lower operating costs and have the added benefit of being able to linger at delivery stops without producing noise or exhaust. That’s important in places like California that have rules discouraging engine idling.”
Fed Ex Chairman Fred Smith is a visionary who founded an entire industry on being ahead of the curve. It’s not surprising that he and his company are helping lead the way to a cleaner and more secure energy future, and the piece is worth quoting at greater length:
“‘If any technology has a bright future, this is it,’ said Keshav Sondhi, chief engineer of FedEx’s electric vehicles program in Memphis, Tenn.
“Others agree. ‘We think trucks are one of the most interesting and promising targets’ for electrification, said Brian McBeth, manager of business strategy for car and truck maker Daimler AG in Stuttgart, Germany. Daimler’s Freightliner unit makes some of FedEx’s current trucks.
Ford Motor Co., meantime, plans to introduce a Transit Connect electric commercial van later this year with an 80-mile battery range.”
The WSJ points out that this is not the first effort on the vehicle electrification front, but wisely notes that times have changed:
“One reason for renewed interest in electric trucks is tough carbon dioxide reduction goals that take effect starting in 2015 in European Union nations. Coming new U.S. fuel-economy rules for trucks also play a role.”
It’s also good to see the WSJ giving Mr. Smith, the founding co-chairman of the Energy Security Leadership Council/Securing America’s Future Energy, the credit he deserves for acting in the public interest:
“FedEx’s push for electrification comes directly from Frederick Smith, its founder and chief executive, who sees oil use as a national security issue.
“Mr. Smith said FedEx decided several years ago to get involved in public policies related to ‘imported petroleum from unstable and unfriendly parts of the world. In other words, to become more fuel efficient, not just as a company but as an economy.’”
And we’re glad he did.
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