Quicksider—Purolator's Canadian electric delivery truck

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Dec, 2007 by Bill Siuru

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Purolator, Canada's largest overnight courier company, operates many "green" vehicles in its large delivery fleet, including 19 hybrid-electric delivery vehicles supplied by Toronto-based Azure Dynamic Corp. that were put into service in 2005. Purolator said after 257,000 miles, these curb-side delivery trucks have saved 19,000 gal. of fuel and prevented the emissions of more than 150 tons of greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide and other associated smog-causing emissions.

Last August, Purolator introduced 30 new hybrid vans across the country: 28 in Vancouver, one in Ottawa and one in Montreal. These are part of a total order to be filled by the end of 2008 of 105 hybrid delivery trucks that combine Azure's parallel hybrid-electric system with Ford's E-450 van platform. Purolator is also demonstrating a fuel cell hybrid delivery vehicle developed by Azure and Hydrogenics Corp., a Canadian hydrogen fuel manufacturer.

Purolator celebrated a milestone in its commitment to the environment by introducing the Quicksider, a prototype all-electric, lightweight urban delivery vehicle, for testing on the streets of Toronto. Built by Toronto-based Unicell Ltd., the Quicksider has a one-piece fiberglass body mounted on a stainless-steel chassis. The company said it is the first vehicle of its kind to be used within a courier fleet in Canada.

Operation-enhancing features include a pneumatic suspension system that allows the truck to kneel to curb level to ease loading and unloading packages. It also has automatic doors and a tighter turning radius for greater maneuverability on city streets. The body design results in 10% more cargo capacity compared to the conventional 16 ft. step van.

The Quicksider's two electric motors deliver a combined 230 hp and are currently powered by a Zebra sodium nickel chloride (NiCl) battery pack made by MES-Dea in Switzerland. The Quicksider has a minimum range of 40 miles at a top speed of 65 mph. In a parallel project, Electrovaya, a partner in the Quicksider project, is developing a version of its lithium-ion polymer battery system for use in the Quicksider.

ArvinMeritor, co-creator of the Quicksider, supplied the electric axle drivetrain, regenerative braking system and system integration of motors, gears and controls for the prototype. Other consortium members include Battery Engineering and Test Services Inc., Bodycote Material Testing, PMG Technologies Inc., Southwestern Energy and the Transportation Development Centre of Transport Canada.

Purolator estimates the emissions associated with charging the Quicksider's battery system will be less than 20% of the emissions from a conventional diesel-powered curbside delivery vehicle. Maintenance is expected to be substantially less than a conventional diesel van. The latter results from the simplicity of the electric drivetrain and regenerative braking that greatly reduces brake wear. Following successful completion of the Quicksider prototype test pilot, additional Quicksiders will be assembled for more extensive testing.

In addition to its green fleet, Purolator has implemented other environmentally friendly programs such as construction of an on-site hydrogen production, storage, refueling and dispensing facility. Its route optimization program reduces overall distances traveled by vehicles to minimize fuel consumption and emissions. And, a strict no-idling rule imposes an automatic 20-second maximum idle time on all vehicles, helping conserve fuel and reduce emissions.

Bill Siuru, PhD, PE, is a Diesel Progress field editor based in Temecula, Calif.