FedEx Teams With Parker Hannifin on Hybrid Technology

FedEx Ground and Parker Hannifin Corp. said Friday they have agreed to test a Class 6 vehicle employing hybrid hydraulic technology that seeks to improve fuel mileage by greater than 50% and significantly reduce engine emissions.

The new vehicles will rely on a Parker series hybrid hydraulic drive that eliminates a conventional transmission, along with its weight and maintenance, while improving drivetrain power density.

Primary pump and motor components developed by Parker can leverage other technologies developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a “true series hybrid drive as opposed to a parallel system that would increase vehicle weight,” Parker said.

FedEx Ground is a unit of FedEx Corp, ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.