CHARLOTTE, NC - FedEx Corp. added its first 92 retrofitted hybrid-electric delivery trucks on July 21, expanding its fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles by more than 50 percent, from 172 to 264.

Produced in Charlotte, N.C., and developed with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) and Eaton Corporation, the trucks will be placed into service in California, primarily in the Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco metropolitan areas.

The standard FedEx trucks used in the retrofit program were 2000 or 2001 models with 300,000 to 500,000 miles driven. In converting the standard delivery vehicles, the powertrain equipment, including the engine, transmission, fuel tank and drive shaft, were replaced with a 2007 Cummins ISB 200 hp engine and Eaton hybrid-electric system. Costs were reduced by utilizing the existing chassis and body.

The vehicles feature a diesel engine coupled with an electric motor/generator and lithium-ion batteries. These batteries capture and store energy during the regenerative braking phase of vehicle operation, eliminating the need to plug into an electrical source. The sophisticated hybrid controller selects the most efficient mode of operation - diesel or electric - depending upon current operating conditions and driver demand.

The retrofit hybrids will display the FedEx EarthSmart logo, a symbol of the FedEx commitment to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways through industry-leading innovations that are more efficient and better for the environment. All FedEx hybrid trucks will be re-branded this year as part of the EarthSmart initiative.