KALAMAZOO, MI - Fleet customers have collectively accumulated more than 100 million miles of service, reducing fuel consumption by 4 million gallons of diesel fuel and harmful emissions by 40,000 metric tons, by using Eaton Corporation's hybrid power systems, according to the manufacturer.

More than 4,500 of Eaton's hybrid systems are currently in use on package delivery trucks, beverage delivery trucks, refrigerated delivery trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, utility vehicles, city and school buses, and other commercial applications. Eaton has also begun offering a complete line of electric vehicle charging systems to further reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.

The company set major hybrid systems milestones in 2010, delivering systems to global customers in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and United States. Eaton also began commercial production of its hybrid hydraulic system known as Eaton Hydraulic Launch Assist or Eaton HLA in the fall of 2010.

UPS, which operates one of the largest private fleets of alternative-fuel vehicles, is one of those customers. Earlier this year, UPS ordered 130 of Eaton's hybrid system that will be deployed next year in New York, New Jersey, and California. UPS estimates these 130 delivery vehicles will save 66,085 gallons of fuel and 671 metric tons of emissions annually, representing a 35-percent improvement in fuel economy. The company says that's the equivalent of 128 passenger cars being taken off the road.

"Hybrid electric technology has proven itself to be effective in the field," said Mike Britt, UPS director of vehicle engineering. "We are eager to receive these new hybrids and get them on the road. Continued investment in fuel-efficient technology is a part of UPS' overall environmental strategy."

Companies such as FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises and PepsiCo are using delivery vehicles with Eaton hybrid systems. Work trucks with Eaton hybrid power are also in service at Florida Power and Light, and many utility and telecom companies across North America and city bus transit fleets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America are using Eaton hybrid power in their fleets.

Benefits of the Eaton hybrid systems include fuel savings up to 35 percent, with similar percentages in emission reductions, extended brake life, and idle time reductions of up to 87 percent during work site operations, according to the company.