... and DHL's not far behind

Like UPS, DHL has joined the fight to cut its delivery vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions. This summer, DHL launched its "Green Logistics" environmental initiative in Japan. But not all of the emissions-reducing equipment in DHL Japan's fleet could be described as high tech. Along with such "green" vehicles as a fuel-cell car and a hybrid truck, DHL Japan is testing a convoy of bicycles.

The fuel-cell car is the "F-Cell" car from DaimlerChrysler AG. Modeled on the Mercedes-Benz 'A' Class, the F-Cell is fueled by compressed hydrogen. DHL Japan will test the F-Cell under actual working conditions, using it to collect and deliver documents in downtown Tokyo.

The truck is the "Canter Eco-Hybrid" truck from Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp., part of DaimlerChrysler's Truck Group. The first hybrid light-duty truck to meet Japan's new long-term emission regulations (introduced in 2005), the Canter Eco-Hybrid is said to be one of the most fuel-efficient commercial hybrid vehicles in operation. DHL Japan started using the hybrid truck for the collection and delivery of small and medium-sized packages in July.

The bicycles have alsobeen in use since this summer. In June, DHL Japan introduced a bicycle system to supplement its emission-reducing efforts in central Tokyo and Yokohama.