UPS is to test a battery electric (BEV) Thor Trucks class 6 delivery vehicle in Los Angeles.

According to a statement from UPS the Thor truck has a range of around 100 miles – that should be enough for urban deliveries. The test is set to begin later this year.

The class 6 truck is a medium duty vehicle.

The pilot programme is to take place for around six months, Depending on its success, UPS “may make additional purchases of the electric vehicle”.

Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering for UPS, commented:  “UPS believes in the future of commercial electric vehicles. We want to support the research needed to make advances and the companies developing those innovative products.

“Performance is critical in our fleet. We are excited to get this vehicle on the road to test how it handles routes in and around Los Angeles.”

The global logistics company has invested heavily in alternative fuel vehicles, with some 9000 vehicles worldwide that range from LNG and CNG to ethanol, hybrid-electric and fully electric. A number of manufacturers work with it including UK based ARRIVAL, Thor, Tesla and even Daimler Trucks among others. It uses vehicles that are specialised in one task with one maker for example making special cargo bikes, another long distance trucks and in this case, one that does medium duty deliveries.