UPS has purchased 130 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to make deliveries in New York, New Jersey, and California. The company expects to improve fuel economy by 35 percent, the equivalent of removing 128 cars from America's roads.

"Hybrid electric technology has proven itself to be effective in the field," said Mike Britt, UPS's director of vehicle engineering. "We are eager to receive these new HEVs in 2011 and get them on the road. Continued investment in fuel-efficient technology is a part of UPS's overall environmental strategy."

UPS has invested more than $25 million to develop its fleet of alternative fuel vehicles. Besides HEVs, the company also uses vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, and only electricity. These vehicles are used in eight countries besides the United States.

UPS currently operates 250 HEV delivery vehicles in the United States. The company was the first package delivery service to introduce HEVs into daily operations, as early as 1998.