FedEx to Use Federal Grant for Electric Lift Trucks

SPRINGFIELD, MO – FedEx will get $1.3 million to deploy 35 fuel cell systems as battery replacements for a complete fleet of electric lift trucks at its existing service center in Springfield, Miss.

by Staff

April 21, 2009

1 min to read

SPRINGFIELD, MO – The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $41.9 million to fund 13 fuel cell technology programs. FedEx will get $1.3 million to deploy 35 fuel cell systems as battery replacements for a complete fleet of electric lift trucks at its existing service center in Springfield, Miss.

"FedEx is committed to operating and innovating in new ways that can help our business and our industry. We seek fuel-efficient and environmentally beneficial technologies in an effort to maximize efficiencies. This project will deploy 35 fuel cell systems as battery replacements for a complete fleet of electric lift trucks at FedEx Freight's service center in Springfield, Missouri," according to a statement by Douglas Duncan, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Freight Corporation.

FedEx currently operates the largest fleet of commercial hybrid trucks in North America with a goal to improve vehicle fuel efficiency 20 percent by 2020. Duncan described the company's "Reduce, Replace, and Revolutionize" strategy to meet this goal:

In London, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) Mercedes-Benz sprinter vans were introduced, which reduce CO₂ emissions by 12 percent. FedEx also plans to use 10 zero-emission electric delivery vehicles in the United Kingdom.
In Japan, the company teamed up with General Motors in the test operation of a fuel-cell delivery vehicle for one year.
In Washington, D.C., FedEx operates biodiesel-fueled trucks and diesel-electric trucks.

Topics:U.S. Department of Energy FedEx Federal Grant Battery-Electric Vehicles Green Fleet

More Green Fleet

Green Fleet•by Chris Brown•March 9, 2026

Startup ZMD Motors Developing Electric Conversion for Ram 5500 Work Trucks

Detroit-based company says it has begun early development of a system to convert internal combustion Ram 5500 chassis-cab trucks to electric power.

MOVING ON FROM DEBATE: A Guide for Fleet Managers Who Just Want To Get Electrification Done

Fleet managers are done with the debate—and focused on execution. Learn how to build a practical electrification strategy that aligns infrastructure, operations, and financing while keeping costs controlled and deployment scalable with support from Blink Charging. Discover how smart planning today positions fleets for long-term performance and ROI.

Green Fleet•by Chris Brown•February 12, 2026

U.S. EV Adoption Is Climbing, but Commercial and Passenger Markets Diverge

New industry group data revealed that light-duty electric vehicle sales are hitting record market share and volumes, while commercial EV volume dipped. What’s driving the fluctuations?

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.