FedEx Hybrid-Electric Vehicles to Visit U.S. Communities

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--Nov. 4, 2004--FedEx Corp. today launched "Operation FedEx Special Delivery," a program to support philanthropic efforts in U.S. communities during the holiday season. The program to benefit local charities was kicked off at FedEx Express World Headquarters in Memphis with the unveiling of a specially designed hybrid-electric vehicle branded FedEx Special Delivery. The vehicle is one of two that will travel around the United States throughout November and December collecting toys for children in need.

The FedEx Special Delivery vehicles are scheduled to travel to cities across the United States helping in drives to collect goods, such as toys, food and clothing that will be distributed by local agencies and charitable organizations.

"FedEx cares about the communities that we serve and where our employees live," said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of FedEx. "This year, FedEx Special Delivery will support local charities as they collect and deliver goods to those who need them."

The FedEx Special Delivery program is the first time that FedEx has dedicated a specially designed vehicle to help some of the many charitable efforts that the company supports across the country. Among the charities FedEx supports are United Way, American Red Cross, Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, March of Dimes and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

The FedEx Special Delivery vehicles are two of 18 environmentally-friendly hybrid-electric vehicles in the FedEx fleet. The other 16 vehicles are already in service in markets around the United States. These vehicles will not only serve the communities they visit, but they will do so using advanced motor-vehicle technology that reduces emissions and conserves fuel.

For more information on FedEx Special Delivery, including route maps, pictures, fact sheets and information on how to participate in your local community visit http://care.fedex.com.

The FedEx Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Program

The FedEx hybrid electric vehicle decreases particulate emissions by 96 percent and travels 57 percent farther on a gallon of fuel, reducing fuel costs by over a third. FedEx is currently taking steps to introduce more of these vehicles into its fleet over time.

FedEx is committed to utilizing the enormous potential represented by hybrids. For example, if 10,000 hybrid electric vehicles were on the road rather than current standard vehicles, substantial reductions in emissions and fuel use would occur annually:

-- Smog-causing emissions (nitrogen oxides) would be reduced by 1,700 tons, the equivalent of taking passenger cars off New York City roads for 25 days.

-- Carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 83,000 tons, which is equivalent to planting 2 million trees.

-- Diesel fuel usage would be reduced by 7.2 million gallons, which requires 1 million barrels of crude oil to produce.

Power of Innovation Produces New Vehicle

FedEx Express and Environmental Defense began working together in 2000 to create a delivery truck that would dramatically decrease emissions and fuel use. Through a competitive process, Eaton Corporation was selected from more than 20 manufacturers who expressed interest in creating a cleaner vehicle using a variety of technologies. Since the beginning of the project, progress toward goals has been assessed against the 1999 FedEx Express W700 standard delivery vehicle, which represented the most common model in the FedEx Express fleet.

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $26 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 240,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.