Parcel giant FedEx has begun a two-week pilot of an all-electric eActros 300 tractor from Mercedes-Benz Trucks at its hub in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
The tractor unit is being used in place of a combustion engine tractor and trailer combination, to fulfil domestic linehaul operations from FedEx’s Parkhouse operation in Stoke-on-Trent in the UK.
For the pilot period, the tractor will be paired with an existing FedEx-owned trailer. From there it will transport shipments collected from larger customers on to FedEx hubs elsewhere in the UK. The tractor will recharge onsite at the Parkhouse station during down time, using a 40kW temporary charging solution.
“Taking opportunities to test a variety of solutions in different geographical and operational circumstances is a critical part of evaluating solutions as they emerge on the market,” said Louise Whitehouse, Managing Director for Fleet Maintenance at FedEx Europe. ”This two-week test presents an opportunity to gain welcome hands-on experience using new technologies in heavier vehicle types and build a better picture of how such a vehicle and solution could be applied in linehaul operations in Europe.”
FedEx shared that as it identifies ways to reduce emissions across its road network in Europe, the company will continue to explore vehicle specifications and sizes that will best meet the needs of its operations. FedEx previously piloted the Mercedes-Benz Trucks eActros 300 as a rigid truck for two weeks in Eindhoven, Netherlands in May 2024, which has prompted the trial in the UK.
Elsewhere in ground operations, FedEx has recently added electric vehicles to parcel pickup and delivery operations in the United Kingdom as well as in Netherlands, Spain, and France.
