DHL set out on ‘environmentally-friendly provider’ journey with new ‘green’ vans

DHL are setting out on “the most environmentally-friendly provider” journey with ten new electric courier vans to reduce the environmental footprint as a delivery supplier.

The move will see the DHL’s new vans operating in London and joining their UK fleet as part of their sustainability-focused strategy. The rollout of the new Renault ZE Masters vans is the first stage in DHL Express’ plan to run 400 electric vehicles in its UK-wide fleet by 2025.

The vehicles have a range of approximately 75 miles and a payload capacity of circa ten cubic metres. They are fully direct load capable, which is the operating standard for DHL Express, with parcels stored on shelves in the vehicle to protect from damage and increase delivery efficiency. This first group of vans will be serving customers from service centres around London.

“We’re delighted to be able to announce the roll-out of 10 new best-in-class electric vehicles as part of our UK courier fleet.

“In our ambition to become the most environmentally-friendly provider on the market, we have to balance the needs of customers with protecting and respecting the planet. Recent innovations within battery range and battery technology mean we can now deploy these more sustainable vehicles as part of our fleet and be confident in their ability to meet operational requirements, reducing our reliance on internal combustion engines.”

“As electric vehicle innovation continues and the range a vehicle can cover on a single charge grows, we plan to expand the electric fleet outside of city locations,” he added.”
– Richard Crook, director of Fleet, DHL Express.

Previously, range and load issues limited the viability of electric vehicles as a significant part of commercial fleets. Advances in capability, particularly in battery range and charging technology, now mean that electric vans are a practical alternative to traditional fuel vehicles.

Both these vans and the existing best-in-class Euro VI diesel fleet are fully compliant with the London Ultra Low Emissions Zone standard, and ongoing investment has seen more than 900 vehicles replaced over the past three years.