Electric Vehicles

In an effort to address growing traffic congestion and air quality concerns, UPS (NYSE: UPS) and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan today announced the deployment of an innovative downtown delivery pilot project using pedal-assist cargo eBikes and customized, modular trailers.

The electric utility industry is in the middle of a transformation that has no precedent. Historically speaking, delivering electricity was relatively simple; utilities generated power and provided it to customers over a one-way delivery system. Companies requested, and utility regulators granted, periodic rate hikes to cover infrastructure upgrades while providing a reasonable rate of return on that investment.

To effectively map out the current and future states of power delivery, it’s imperative to discuss what the landscape looked like in the past. Understanding the evolution of any industry typically requires a healthy dose of historical context, and making sense of today’s energy grid is no exception.

Separated by decades of progress and technology’s endless march, it’s easy to think electric vehicles share little heritage with their internal combustion forebears. But even as they bookend the automotive spectrum, today’s EVs are much like the first automobiles in one important respect: When the first cars were made, they had an outsized dependency on infrastructure. Without a robust system of roads (let alone highways), what was the incentive to buy?

Rather than take a bus on a field trip, this October, Toyota and Discovery Education will bring the latest in automotive technology to students in their classrooms.

UPS has been leading sustainable fleet innovations for decades. Learn about our latest investments in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, and how this rolling laboratory is helping advance our environmental goals.

Bolstered by decreasing costs and strengthening regulatory support, demand for renewable energy is increasing as wind and solar photovoltaics continue to become more prominent contributors to utilities’ generation and revenue mix. As enthusiasm for renewable energy grows, wind and solar remain hampered by how much energy can be stored when generated to be used subsequently when energy is needed.

The cost of energy storage has fallen to the point where the power generation industry is moving from demonstration projects to full deployment. Driven by demand and a federal order designed to nurture broader adoption of storage capabilities, practical applications of energy storage are emerging that are competitive with conventional solutions.

UPS Chief Information and Engineering Officer Juan Perez is leading transformation on the future of our network – how we are integrating technology to connect the facilities, fleet, drivers and information systems fueling a more sustainable global network.
From disrupting our industry – and ourselves – with our new technologies to overhauling our approach to city delivery, there’s much to discuss in this period of transformation.