Purolator to go Hybrid

VANCOUVER, (Sept. 24, 2003) — Purolator Courier has signed a deal with Toronto-based hybrid electric technology developer Azure Dynamics Corp. to buy up to 2,000 hybrid electric vehicle chassis over five years for $90 million.

Purolator — the parcel delivery arm of Crown Corporation Canada Post — will use the chassis made by Azure Dynamics Inc. to power its urban delivery fleet. It will take delivery of 30 vehicles in 2004 and, if those operate to the satisfaction of the courier, Purolator may buy up to 400 more hybrid electric vehicles a year starting in 2005, as it replaces its fleet of 3,700 urban vehicles.

After months of field testing with Azure-equipped vehicles, Purolator saw green house gas emissions reduced by up to 50 per cent, while fuel efficiency increased by up to 50 per cent, the company said, adding it was convinced during the field tests that technology would meet “real-world’ conditions.”

“We know this first step will help alleviate some of the air pollution problems that can exist in a large city,” Purolator president and CEO Robert Johnson said in a press release. “Given the millions of kilometres our vehicles cover each year filling customer orders, we’re going to see, over time, a truly significant reduction in pollutants while at the same time, cutting our reliance on fossil fuel.”