UPS has begun using the ultra-small Zap electric cars for small-parcel delivery in Northern California. The company has launched a small parcel delivery service there this week that uses 42 electric cars and trucks leased from from ZAP.
News.com reports that UPS drivers will be monitoring the cars’ electrical usage to track cost-savings and emissions reductions. Also, UPS is setting up strategic distribution points where vans can transfer packages to the ZAP Xebras for delivery in smaller communities, neighborhoods and downtown areas where larger delivery vans are less efficient or more difficult to navigate and park.
UPS isn’t the only entity deploying ZAP vehicles. The city of Richmond, California, is launching a pilot fleet program to demonstrate ZAP electric trucks in a city fleet. The trucks will be used on the Bay Trail restoration project with the City’s Public Works department.
