Purolator, Skelton Truck Lines honoured for environmental initiatives

TORONTO, (June 8, 2004) — National Transportation Week officials handed awards to Purolator Courier and Skelton Truck Lines of Sharon, Ont. today for each fleet’s environmentally-friendly initiatives in the transportation industry.

Purolator was presented with an Award of Excellence in Environmental Initiatives for its ‘Greening the Fleet’ program. The parcel delivery carrier explores the use of clean transportation technologies by operating hybrid electric delivery vans. The initiative makes Purolator the first courier company in Canada to begin the transition to hybrid electric vehicles.

Purolator field-tested the new Azure Dynamics hybrid electric vehicles last year and saw green house gas emissions reduced by up to 50 per cent while fuel efficiency increased by up to 50 per cent. The company will have 30 of the vehicles on the road in 2004, and may add up to 400 annually beginning in 2005.

The company has also contracted Hydrogenics Corporation to develop a zero emissions hydrogen powered delivery vehicle, as well as an on-site hydrogen generating and refueling system at one of its depots in Toronto.

Skelton Truck Lines was also presented with an Award of Excellence in Environmental Initiatives today.

Just over five years ago, owner Ron Skelton invested in the GlobalTech Hydrogen Fuel Injection System developed by Canadian Hydrogen Energy Corporation. The technology — which is said to reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel efficiency and engine power — produces hydrogen on demand and injects it into the engine’s air intake, which results in a more complete combustion of gases.