UPS to put hydraulic hybrids to the test

"A good investment"

UPS has put in an order for two hydraulic hybrid vehicles, with a few more on order for next year according to MSNBC.

Costing just $7,000 more than a conventional diesel delivery vehicle, these hydraulic hybrids will achieve a 45 - 50 percent improvement in fuel economy according to UPS. That means payback within three years, which makes me wonder why UPS is proceeding so slowly with these vehicles.

Yet, without government help and the involvement of other companies, UPS doesn't envision company-wide adoption. Perhaps this $7,000 differential is based on a pricing model that assumes much greater sales and, therefore, economies of scale.