UPS has taken a minority stake in technology company Arrival, which designs electric vans. Part of the investment includes an order for 10,000 electric vehicles, which will be gradually deployed by UPS from 2020.
Arrival was founded in 2015 in the UK and now has offices around the world, including in the Netherlands. The technology company designs Generation 2 Electric Vehicles, a new product category that aims to outperform existing electric vehicles in cost, design and efficiency. Arrival's vehicles are the same or lower priced than current fossil-fuel vehicles, which should make the decision to switch to electric technology easier.
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems
Arrival and UPS will work together in the near future to develop electric vehicles with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). This technology should increase safety and operational efficiency. This includes the possibility of automated movements in UPS depots. During 2020, UPS will start testing the ADAS features. The results of these tests will feed into the development of future vehicles.
"UPS continues to build an integrated fleet of electric vehicles combined with innovative, large-scale charging technology," said Juan Perez, head of information and technology at UPS. "Electric vehicles are the foundation of our sustainable urban delivery strategies, and by actively investing in Arrival, UPS can collaborate in the design and production of the world's most advanced electric vans."
Manufacturing microfactories
Arrival will build the vehicles in micro-factories, using lightweight, sustainable materials that the company designs and creates itself. Each micro-factory has a low footprint and produces each vehicle on demand. As an investor, UPS has the ability to expedite orders if needed. UPS expects to use the EVs in Europe and North America.
