The new vehicles already sport the London 2012 logo which can be seen on UPS's entire 3,600-strong UK fleet.

Twelve join UPS's existing fleet of electric vehicles, which have been operating out of the Camden facility since 2009.

The remaining two vehicles extend the reach of the green fleet, becoming the first to operate out of UPS's facility in Barking.

"With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games only eighteen months away, we are very focused on reducing the carbon footprint of our delivery network in the capital," said Cindy Miller, UPS' managing director in the UK, Ireland and Nordics

"Over the past few years, we have invested in technological improvements allowing us to expand our electric fleet, such as installing extra charging units at our London facilities.

"This is an important step in our continued commitment to making our operations more sustainable."

Developed by British manufacturer Modec, this electric vehicle is one of the first of its kind to effectively harness the power of modern, high energy batteries in order to meet the medium range, high performance requirements of hard working, urban delivery vehicles.

Each vehicle can undertake around 60 miles on a six-hour charge.

Globally, UPS has been utilising alternative fuel vehicles for more than 70 years.

Most recently, the company announced the purchase of 130 next generation hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) in September 2010, adding to its growing alternative-fuel vehicle fleet in the United States.

UPS already operates one of the largest private alternative-fuel fleets in the package delivery industry - 1,949 in total.

The fleet is deployed in eight countries besides the US and has travelled more than 185 million miles since 2000.


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