FedEx has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2040, and as part of that goal, it wants to electrify its entire parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet. By 2025, 50% of FedEx Express global PUD vehicle purchases are expected to be electric, with that number rising to 100% by 2030.
But for this to happen, the company will also need charging stations to support the EVs.
So, FedEx is looking to build out the charging infrastructure it needs — both domestically and abroad.
The European division of FedEx Express, the company’s largest subsidiary, is preparing six of its major facilities to support the widespread usage of EVs in its future operations. Fulfilled by Shell Recharge Solutions — Shell’s charging infrastructure offering — the first 114 EV charging stations are set to be installed at parcel PUD stations in North and South London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, and Strasbourg.
The company has also placed an order for 98 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans, which are slated to arrive at those European facilities next year.
“By starting first with six major stations, we’ll quickly reach an informed position from which to roll out broader electrification plans in Europe,” said Vinay D’Souza, FedEx Express Europe’s SVP of planning and engineering, in a press release. “Getting ahead of our future energy and infrastructure needs is a priority, then integrating electric vehicles in increasing numbers as we continue the retirement of diesel delivery vans."
FedEx Express is also set to install an additional 200 charging points in its European facilities this year, and after this second phase of infrastructure expansion, it expects to continue the modernization of its global fleet by procuring more EVs for Europe.
The company is looking to install charging stations in the U.S. as well. In June, MBJ reported that the company had installed more than 500 charging stations across California; and that it was working with utility companies to help determine the capacity needed for electrical grids to support charging stations.
Overall, FedEx plans to invest $2 billion in its quest to become carbon neutral, with the funds divided among three areas: vehicle electrification, sustainable energy, and carbon sequestration. It includes a $100 million commitment to Yale University (company founder Fred Smith's alma mater), so the institution can establish the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture. The hope is that the center will find new methods of carbon sequestration at scale and help offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to current airline emissions.
