Volvo Trucks and DHL Group have signed a cooperation agreement to accelerate the shift to zero exhaust emission vehicles.
DHL intends to accelerate its transition to heavy electric trucks by deploying 44 new electric Volvo trucks on routes in Europe. The intended order includes 40 electric trucks of the model Volvo FE and Volvo FL to be used for package deliveries in urban transports.
Electric trucks for longer routes are also part of the scope and DHL has decided to begin using Volvo trucks for regional hauling, starting with four Volvo FM Electric trucks in the U.K. The first trucks have been ordered already, six by DHL Parcel U.K. and two by DHL Freight. This will result in annual savings of nearly 600 tons of CO2 and nearly 225,000 liters of diesel fuel for DHL Group.
“We are committed to meet growing customer demand for green and sustainable solutions and achieve our long-term goal of net zero emissions by 2050,” Pablo Ciano, executive vice president for corporate development at DHL Group, said. “As a logistics service provider, the conversion of our vehicle fleet is an important lever to help us avoid CO2 emissions on the road as well. Several of our divisions will thus benefit from this agreement with Volvo Trucks.”
DHL said its experience making last mile deliveries into London’s West End shopping district with the trucks spurred the decision to ramp up the deployment.
“DHL is an important global logistics provider, committed to reduce its impact on climate change,” Roger Alm, president at Volvo Trucks, said. “Together we can make a difference for the better and I’m proud we will work in the spirit of partnership, aiming to reach our science-based targets to reduce our climate impacts.”
DHL will adopt new Volvo technologies and jointly develop activities within the field of electrification. The agreement also includes analysis by Volvo Trucks of DHL’s transport operations, with the goal to ensure successful deployment of tailor-made electrical transport solutions.
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Volvo Trucks noted it is leading the market for heavy all-electric trucks in Europe, with a market share of 42 percent in 2021. In 2019, Volvo Trucks started serial production of electric trucks, as one of the first truck brands in the world to do so. The company has delivered electric trucks to a wide range of customers in Europe, North America and Australia.
In March, A.P. Moller-Maersk ordered 110 additional Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 trucks, increasing its total commitment to 126 trucks. The trucks will be delivered by the end of the first quarter of 2023 to support increased demand from customers looking to green their fleet. Maersk expects to deploy 450 electric trucks in North America from various manufacturers through the end of next year.