UPS orders plastic vans

International parcel delivery company UPS has ordered 150 plastic-bodied delivery vehicles.[caption id="attachment_5484" align="alignleft" width="98" caption="Rear view of UPS's composite-bodied van"]

[/caption]In a year-long trial of composite-bodied vans, supplied by Utilimaster and Isuzu, the vans delivered a 40% increase in fuel efficiency. The vans had lightweight composite bodies, that required a smaller engine than the standard equivalent Isuzu van.The composite-bodied vans also had a slightly reduced carrying capacity compared to the standard model.UPS reported that repairs were easy since the composite is brown when it is cast, and therefore does not require painting when scratched.Some of the features of UPS's composite-bodied van can be seen in this infographic from UPS: