Azure Delivers First of 30 HEVs

Azure Dynamics Corp. of Burnaby, BC, Canada, has delivered a hybrid electric delivery vehicle to Purolator, Canada’s largest overnight courier company. The vehicle is the first as a result of the agreement signed by the two companies in September 2003 that could see Purolator purchase up to 2,000 hybrid electric-powered delivery vans. The five-year agreement, valued at approximately $90 million, is Azure‘s largest customer contract to date.

Azure CEO Campbell Deacon said, “Today is a significant milestone in the evolution of Azure Dynamics from a research and development company into a commercial enterprise.”

“We are excited to begin transitioning our fleet to hybrid electric vehicles, and believe that our efforts lead the industry in shifting to environmentally friendly fleet management,” said Robert Johnson, Purolator president and CEO.

After months of field testing with Azure-equipped vehicles, Purolator saw emissions reduced by a minimum of 50% while fuel consumption was reduced by approximately 50%.

The order of 30 vehicles will be filled by Azure over the next few months. If the experience with these vehicles meets previously agreed upon parameters, then as Purolator replenishes its fleet each year, the company is expected to add up to 400 HEVs annually.