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UPS to test new electric vehicle

UPS is collaborating with Thor Trucks, Inc. to develop and test a fully-electric class 6 delivery truck in Los Angeles, Calif. The truck is expected to be ready for deployment later this year.

UPS continues to work with a range of companies to test and deploy promising alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

The Thor electric delivery truck will have a driving range of approximately 100 miles powered by a Thor-designed and built battery that will be lightweight, durable and allow long-range driving distances.

For six months, UPS will test the medium-duty electric delivery truck as part of its fleet. Testing will include off-road evaluation to address durability, battery capacity, technical integration, engineering and any items found during on-road testing.

Depending on the success of the deployment, UPS may make additional purchases of the electric vehicle. The company works with a wide array of manufacturers including ARRIVAL, Daimler, Tesla, Thor, Workhorse and others.

Using its “Rolling Laboratory” approach, UPS deploys about 9,300 low-emission vehicles to determine which technology works best in each route configuration. This includes all-electric, hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, ethanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and propane.

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