UPS has begun a partnership with Arrival to develop and trial a fleet of 35 custom-made electric delivery vehicles.

The zero-emission vans will be made from a lightweight composite material and have a battery range of more than 150 miles.

Advanced driver assistance systems will be fitted to improve safety and reduce driver fatigue.

“UPS is working with Arrival here in the UK because their smart electric vehicles are helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuel.

“This is a pioneering collaboration that helps UPS develop new ways to reduce our emissions,” said Luke Wake, international director for automotive engineering in the advanced technology group at UPS.

The vehicles will be trialled in the UK and Paris.

Arrival is the first commercial vehicle manufacturer in Europe to provide purpose-built electric delivery vehicles to UPS’s specifications. Since 2016, the two companies have been developing prototypes of different sizes, and the first vehicles are expected to be deployed on the road before the end of this year.

“We’re excited to collaborate with UPS to create an affordable, modular, fully electric delivery vehicle designed to make deliveries in our busy cities clean and quiet,” said Denis Sverdlov, CEO of Arrival.

UPS has more than 9,000 vehicles worldwide operating using alternative propulsion methods and expects the new initiative to help it achieve its global carbon reduction goals.