The first of four vehicles to be deployed from June will operate for FedEx customers, employees and local officials in several stops along the historic Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles.

The electric truck tour underscores a national initiative by Fred Smith, founder of FedEx Corp. In testimony to a US Senate subcommittee last month, Smith repeated his call for electrification of local transport to foster more domestic energy production, less reliance on imported petroleum and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

John Formisano, vice president global vehicles for FedEx Express, said, “In 2004, we were the first global company to invest in hybrid-electric commercial trucks and now we’re introducing the even cleaner all-electric parcel delivery truck. We’re making these investments, and invite others to join us, so that together we can speed the transition to a cleaner transportation system.”

By the end of June this year, the FedEx alternative energy fleet will have grown to 1,869 vehicles around the world.