Watch CBS News

Azure Dyanmics Gets Record Order For 600

Oak Park-based Azure Dynamics Corp. Monday announced a record order of 600 of its Balance hybrid electric trucks from the Ontario-based delivery company Purolator.

The order is Azure's largest to date and is believed to be the single largest order in the history of the medium-duty commercial hybrid market. 

Azure says the order is a nice validation of its technology from a customer that knows Azure hybrid technology well -- since Purolator has more than 200 Azure products in its fleet already.

The deliveries start now and will continue through 2013 at a pace of 200 trucks a year, eventually making Purolator the operator of the world's largest fleet of Azure Balance trucks.

The Balance Hybrid Electric, in both delivery van and shuttle bus configurations, offers up to 40 percent fuel economy improvement while reducing both maintenance costs and greenhouse emissions by up to 30 percent.

Azure has also recently launched production of the Transit Connect Electric all-electric small delivery and utility van in collaboration with Ford Motor Co. That pure electric vehicle adds another energy and environmentally efficient option for fleet customers. Azure's targeted LEAD customer program for the Transit Connect Electric resulted in nearly 150 sales to a host of marquee fleets including AT&T, NYPA, SoCal Edison, Xcel Energy, Canada Post, Toronto Atmospheric Fund and Johnson Controls.

More at www.azuredynamics.com.

Said Azure CEO Scott Harrison: "As a result of our long and mutually beneficial relationship with Purolator, our Balance Hybrid Electric volume has consistently increased allowing us to reduce internal costs, refine our processes and implement product upgrades. Meanwhile, Purolator's proactive fleet managers have been able to substantially reduce tailpipe emissions, operating costs and improve overall efficiency of their fleet. This  relationship is a manifestation of what will ultimately drive hybrid electric and electric powertrain market share increases."

Purolator operates a fleet of 3,500 vehicles and is consistently rated as one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures. In 2005, Purolator was the first express transportation company in Canada to introduce hybrid electric vehicles. Among the many Purolator locations receiving new hybrid electric vehicles, 43 have been added to the Halifax and Dartmouth fleet, making Purolator's City of Halifax fleet 100 per cent hybrid electric. An additional 60 Balance Hybrid Electric vans have been added in Guelph, while 19 have been added in

Niagara, and finally, 79 in the greater Toronto area.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.