Moving toward the corporate target of zero emissions by 2050, DHL is rolling out a new fleet of electric delivery vans to serve U.S. markets.
The fleet of 63 NGEN-1000 electric delivery cargo vans, produced by equipment manufacturer Workhorse Group, are built to be among the safest, most efficient last-mile delivery and work truck systems available, DHL said. The vans are capable of running up to 100 miles on a charge. They also have low floors to reduce physical stress on workers’ knees and back, and a high roof design that maximizes cargo space (1,008 cubic feet) in a small area.
The first 30 NGEN-1000 electric delivery cargo vans will operate in the San Francisco Bay Area, with 33 more set to be on the road across the country this year. The new vehicles add to the company’s growing alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet, which includes fully electric, hybrid-electric, compressed natural gas (CNG) and clean diesel.
DHL has set a target of operating 70 percent of first- and last-mile delivery services with clean transport modes by 2025 as part of its longer-term corporate commitment to reduce its logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050.
“Throughout the United States, DHL has proactively sought opportunities in select markets where we can implement AFV fleets that will help us reach our clean transport goals, while continuing to provide a superior service experience,” said Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “This year alone, nearly 30 percent of our new vehicles will be alternative fuel. We’re excited about the technologies that continue to emerge in this area and how they are benefiting the logistics industry.”
The movement to use electric and other AFVs is gaining ground. In November, FedEx Corp. said it was expanding its fleet to add 1,000 Chanje V8100 electric delivery vehicles. FedEx is purchasing 100 of the vehicles from Chanje Energy Inc. and leasing 900 from Ryder System Inc.
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At the same time, CityFreighter Inc. and XPO Sales have entered into a strategic partnership and signed a letter of intent for the Purchase of 100 CF1 Full Electric Class 4 Trucks for last mile delivery. UPS also has plans to deploy 50 plug-in electric delivery trucks in collaboration with Workhorse Group.
In March 2017, Deutsche Post DHL Group, the parent company of DHL Express, announcing a commitment to reduce its logistics-related emissions to net zero by 2050. To meet this goal, the company set four interim milestones for 2025 as part of the Group’s GoGreen environmental protection program.
The milestones are to increase the carbon efficiency of its own activities and those of its transport subcontractors by 50 percent compared with the 2007 baseline, and to operate 70 percent of its own first- and last-mile services with clean pickup and delivery solutions like bikes and electric vehicles. In addition, DHL wants to generate more than 50 percent of sales from products and services incorporating Green Solutions, and to train and certify 80 percent of its employees as GoGreen specialists and involve them in its environmental and climate protection activities.