UPS is rolling out cute new electric trucks

UPS

When the UPS truck rolls up in front of my house, I’m usually excited at the prospect of one of my many Amazon purchases arriving.

The truck itself is not a very aesthetically pleasing vehicle, but that’s usually not at the forefront of my mind. Still, the trucks’ look is about to change.

The company has announced plans to roll out new electric trucks, and their compact design and rounded edges actually make them pretty adorable.

The new look is not just for show, however. It will also give drivers a wider field of vision to better see cyclists and pedestrians.

UPS has forged a partnership with UK-based technology firm Arrival to create a pilot fleet of 35 electric delivery vehicles (EVs), which will be trialed in London and Paris.

The first vehicles will hit the road by the end of the year.

UPS

The new vehicles are friendly to the environment, as they have no tailpipe emission. They also have a battery range of more than 150 miles.

“This initiative will help UPS attain its global carbon reduction goals for the company’s facilities and fleets,” Peter Harris, director for sustainability at UPS Europe, said in a press release.“We will continue working with our partners, communities and customers to spark innovation, thus leading the industry toward a more sustainable future.”

ups photo
Getty Images | Scott Olson

Sustainability is a high priority for the company, and it currently has more than 300 electric vehicles in Europe and the United States, as well as nearly 700 hybrid electric vehicles. Since 2009, UPS has invested more than $750 million in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

In December 2017, UPS agreed to purchase 125 Tesla Semi trucks, the largest order of the big rig to date. The Semi is completely electric and has an “autopilot” function to allow for  semi-autonomous driving.

Tesla

The company’s goal is that 25 percent of its vehicles purchased annually will be powered by alternative fuels or advanced technology by 2020.

What do you think of the truck’s new look?

There’s An Adorable Facebook Group For UPS Drivers About The Dogs They Encounter Every Day

It’s always nice to be greeted by a friendly face, and UPS drivers are met by licks and tail wags every single day. Thanks to their delivery schedules, drivers frequently interact with the same pets as they run their routes and are able to form a bond. And thankfully for the rest of us, there’s now a place online where they can post about their encounters with the cutest dogs.

UPS truck driver Sean McCarren founded a Facebook group called UPS Dogs where fellow drivers can post about the dogs they see on their delivery routes.

McCarren has been driving for UPS for 17 years, he tells BuzzFeed, and one of the things that makes the job so great is the pups he meets along the way.

I wish we could just hang out with the families and their dogs all day, but it’s just not feasible,” he told BuzzFeed. We’d all spend our days playing with dogs if we had the chance, but since that’s not an option, it’s nice to spend time with these pets vicariously through the UPS Dogs community!

New photos and videos are uploaded to the page all of the time. Many of them are ready to hop on the truck and take a drive. You know, if dogs could drive.

Of course, there are also those who are just in it for the treats.

Some dogs just want to help out with the job. All in a day’s work!

It’s always nice to have a friend nearby!

Plus, they look good in the driver’s seat!

The actual UPS workers don’t seem to mind the company.

In fact, sometimes the drivers develop such a strong bond with the dogs that they go on to adopt them. For example, Katie Newhouser became so close with a dog named Leo that when his owner died, she let him come live with her. Now, Leo has a happy new home with the delivery driver he’d come to know so well.

Newhouser’s touching story was shared with the UPS Dog community, of course.

Can’t get enough of these delivery-loving pooches? Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest from UPS Dogs.

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About the Author
Kate Streit
Kate Streit lives in Chicago. She enjoys stand-up comedy, mystery novels, memoirs, summer and pumpkin spice anything.

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