The Trump Administration’s vehement global warming denials and rolling back C02 emission standards is sending jobs to China and Europe.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), which started construction on electronic DC (direct current) charging stations in January, today announced an agreement with Chanje Energy Inc., to electrify 42 FedEx stations in California. This makes it one of the largest deployments of integrated charging infrastructure by a single commercial fleet so far. FedEx has been using all-electric vehicles as part of its pickup-and-delivery fleet since 2009.
FedEx previously announced the addition of 1,000 Chinese-made Chanje V8100 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet last November. FedEx is purchasing 100 of the vehicles from Chanje Energy Inc. and leasing 900 from Ryder System, Inc. Today’s agreement will provide the infrastructure to support the continued rollout of its electric vehicle fleet.
“The vehicles and DC charging infrastructure will not only help FedEx meet our operational efficiency and sustainability goals, but provide learning, scaling and experience to others in the vehicle electrification journey. We believe this will be a game-changer,” said Mitch Jackson, chief sustainability officer, FedEx
The DC charging system was designed specifically for FedEx. The project will support daily charging for more than 1,000 electric vehicles, which were leased to FedEx.
Notable are:
- Higher maximum power output than standard Level 2 chargers
- Variable rate technology allowing FedEx to proactively adjust charging speed or shift energy usage away from peak hours to minimize electric utility bills
- DC (direct current) charging hardware, which is 10% more efficient than AC (alternating current) charging
- Software platform for remote monitoring and real-time charger controls
Chanje Energy Inc. will begin production of the EVs later this year (the growing corona virus epidemic/pandemic might delay this – editor). The vehicles are manufactured by FDG Electric Vehicles Limited (HKEX: 729) in Hangzhou, China, and purchased through Chanje Energy Inc., the company’s subsidiary for global business. They will be delivered on a rolling basis over the next year. Ryder System, Inc. will provide maintenance and distribution support services for all of the vehicles.
FedEx says that wider adoption of alternative-fuel, electric and hybrid electric vehicles in transportation will play a key role in reducing global emissions, while diversifying and expanding renewable energy solutions.
Following President Joe Biden’s announcement of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo released the following statement:
“Today represents a historic accomplishment that will transform our economy, create millions of good-paying jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to outcompete on the global stage. This framework is a momentous step forward in delivering for the American people and will benefit millions of American workers, businesses and communities.
“This framework provides long overdue investments in some of our most critical sectors that drive our economy, such as a historic $65 billion investment in broadband infrastructure to connect every American to reliable high-speed internet. The pandemic exposed how essential access to affordable, reliable broadband is to our everyday lives. Too many rural, tribal and minority communities do not have the access needed to go to school or work remotely, or access critical services like telemedicine. This bipartisan plan will bridge the digital divide and ensure no community is left behind.
“As the President has said – we’ve spent too much time competing with one another, and not nearly enough competing with the rest of the world to win the 21st century. We have a moment to show the world that democracies can succeed in tackling our biggest challenges and that America can lead by example. Today’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework is our opportunity to do that. We are demonstrating that you can work across the aisle to deliver a big, bold plan with bipartisan support.
“Our work is not done. President Biden himself outlined critical priorities, such as investing in the Care Economy, that are not included in this package but remain critical components of our economic recovery and need to be included in the accompanying reconciliation package. I look forward to working with members of Congress to pass and implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework as part of President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda.”