News
News

Back to the future: Electric vehicles date back to the 1930s at UPS

A Walker Electric UPS Package Car circa 1935. Walker was a manufacturer of electric vehicles. Source: UPS
A Walker Electric UPS Package Car circa 1935. Walker was a manufacturer of electric vehicles. Source: UPS
By
Feb 23, 2018

UPS is adding another 50 electric delivery trucks to its "rolling laboratory" fleet of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

But Sandy Springs-based UPS has had decades of experience with electric trucks, pre-dating the latest resurgence of electric vehicles. Here's what UPS electric trucks looked like in the 1930s, 1980s and today.

A Walker Electric UPS Package Car circa 1935. Walker was a manufacturer of electric vehicles. Source: UPS
icon to expand image
UPS paired up with the University of Alabama to road test this fully electric vehicle in 1980. Source: UPS
icon to expand image
A Modec fully electric vehicle used in London, circa 2009. Source: UPS
icon to expand image
A 2009 UPS electric car rendering. Source: UPS.
icon to expand image

A 2018 rendering of the new UPS plug-in electric delivery truck. Source: UPS
icon to expand image

About the Author

As business team lead, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories. She graduated from Harvard and has a master's degree from Northwestern.

Follow Kelly Yamanouchi on facebookFollow Kelly Yamanouchi on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Police tell Spanish-language reporter Mario Guevara to move back during a protest on Chamblee Tucker Road in DeKalb County on Saturday. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Influential Hispanic reporter who tracks ICE agents arrested at protest

DeKalb County police charged Spanish-language immigration reporter Mario Guevara with obstruction of law enforcement officers and pedestrian walking on or along a roadway.

Cops: Woman arrested after shooting ex-boyfriend during highway chase

Senior citizens lead protests in Decatur, rallies across metro Atlanta

Three separate senior groups hold regular rallies to protest Trump administration policies.

The Latest

Police tell Spanish-language reporter Mario Guevara to move back during a protest on Chamblee Tucker Road in DeKalb County on Saturday. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Influential Hispanic reporter who tracks ICE agents arrested at protest

Rhone: Road rules challenge — Atlanta drivers could use a refresher

VIDEO

Cola Wars: How Coca-Cola conquered the South and crushed the competition

Featured

Aerial photo shows demonstrators holding signs to oppose Trump’s immigration policies during “No Cake for False Kings” protest on the 17th Street NW Bridge, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Thousands turn out in metro Atlanta; DeKalb immigration protest escalates

The events are taking place on the same day as a military parade in Washington celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Route changes for metro Atlanta Xpress commuter buses start Monday

The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, which operates Xpress, has said the changes are necessary because of ridership declines since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is quickly assembling All-Star case for Braves

In the last 30 days, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is third in batting average, ninth in home runs, first in on-base percentage and second in slugging and OPS