Electrify UPS: A zero emission shipping strategy

This blog was authored by Environment America Intern Claire Windsor

With the simple click of a button, our packages arrive on our doorstep in only a few days. This has become such a regular part of our lives that UPS drivers traveling around our neighborhoods in a brown box truck have become as recognizable as the daily mail truck or school bus. While we may all enjoy the convenience of online shopping and delivery, we must remember that we’re paying a much larger price for shipping than we may realize at checkout. 

The shipping industry continues to fuel the climate crisis. Gasoline- and diesel-powered delivery trucks accelerate climate change and harm public health. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased demand for e-commerce, which subsequently means more global warming emissions. 以缓解气候危机, shipping industry leaders must swiftly transition to electric delivery trucks.  

While 亚马逊 and 联邦快递 have both made fleet electrification commitments, UPS has not. Environment America is calling on UPS to outline a clear commitment and plan for transitioning its delivery fleet to electric. 气候危机只会越来越严重, and it’s time corporations do their part to prevent the worst impacts of global warming.    

The transportation sector is the leading source of global warming pollution in the United States. 重型车辆贡献了大约 三分之一的道路运输排放. With the rise of e-commerce, delivery trucks drive even more miles through our neighborhoods 遍布全国和全世界. A 世界经济论坛的报告 预计到2030年, the number of delivery vehicles on the road in the top 100 global cities will increase by 36%. 平均每辆柴油运输车排放18.每年排放7吨二氧化碳. More heavy duty diesel vehicles on the road means more tailpipe pollution, 空气质量恶化, 以及温室气体排放的增加. 

Though they comprise a smaller number of total vehicles, delivery trucks and tractor trailers are responsible for nearly half of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and nearly 60% of the fine particulates 从所有车辆. In 2020, 六分之一的美国人 -- 58.4 million people -- lived and breathed in areas with more than 100 days of elevated air pollution. Tailpipe pollution is a public health crisis linked to 呼吸系统疾病和过早死亡. 

In response to this crisis, 亚马逊 and 联邦快递 have made 对电动汽车的承诺. 亚马逊 is purchasing 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian that will be on the roads by 2030. It is the largest order ever for electric delivery vehicles. 联邦快递 committed to all zero-emission vehicles in their fleet by 2040, and has interim targets to get there. By 2025, 50% of 联邦快递 Express global pickup and delivery vehicle purchases will be electric, 到2030年将达到100%. 

而亚马逊和联邦快递则是领军者, UPS still falls short on the transition to electric vehicles and addressing their carbon footprint. UPS已经承诺 到2050年实现碳中和，但仍专注于 膨胀式沼气车 在他们的舰队中 可再生能源甲烷气体, which is insufficient to address the climate crisis. In order to meet its 2050 goal and not fall behind its competitors, UPS将需要过渡其125,000辆车变成电动. 

It is essential that the largest e-commerce businesses make ambitious climate commitments in order to fulfill their customers' needs for reliable and 可持续发展服务.  特别是, UPS must commit to make50% of all vehicle purchases electric by 2025, 100% by 2030, 并在2040年拥有全电动车队. 

If shipping companies fulfill their electrification goals, we will take tremendous strides in mitigating the devastating effects of climate change. Environment America urges UPS to create a comprehensive plan to electrify its delivery trucks and set science-based targets for reducing global warming pollution. Only then will we know that UPS is truly committed to its carbon neutrality goal and will take on the responsibility to care for the environment and its customers.

照片:Mike Rosenberg通过Flickr, CC BY 2.0