UPS expands sustainable operations in Europe

As the logistics industry looks to operate more sustainably amid increasing demand from e-commerce, UPS is electrifying its ground fleet, using cleaner fuels and powering facilities with renewable energy. A new development is the use of duo-trailers in Spain that operate between Madrid and Barcelona five days a week.

These duo-trailers, operated and owned by Grupo Carrasco, feature two full-sized trailers pulled by a single truck. This combination emits less carbon per kilometer than if two vehicles were travelling individually, lowering the carbon intensity per package. Current records show it can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 30% per road journey.

“We are committed to delivering more while reducing the carbon intensity of our operations,” said Daniel Carrera, UPS Europe president. “These duo trailers demonstrate how we are relentlessly innovating and collaborating to create efficiencies in our network and build a sustainable future for our customers and the communities where we live and work.”

UPS has already deployed EcoCombi of a similar design in six countries within its European network. “EcoCombis” are currently permitted in 18 countries worldwide, yet they are a vital part of UPS’s goal to shrink its carbon footprint while increasing efficiency. Eco-trucks carry larger loads and reduce CO2 emissions by consuming less fuel. The new duo trailer design represents the next step in this evolution by connecting two full-sized trailers.

Delivering more with less environmental impact: With a global footprint and customers in more than 220 countries and territories, UPS sees how climate change, air quality and other socioeconomic challenges intersect, and has set a clear roadmap to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. This includes:

40% alternative fuel in ground operations by 2025

25% renewable electricity in facilities by 2025

As part of its rolling laboratory approach UPS has deployed more than 13,000 low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles around the world and is always exploring ways to reduce carbon in its ground fleet.