DHL Parcel UK has taken delivery of six fully-electric trucks and 30 liquefied natural gas (LNG) tractor units, both from Volvo Trucks.
The 16-tonne electric trucks operate on batteries which can run for 120 miles and be charged overnight. DHL claims that the trucks can carry a maximum of 12 pallets weighing up to six tonnes. They are expected to be on the streets of London from January 2023.
The LNG tractor units will be deployed sooner as they are expected to be in use before the end of the year. These are going to be based at the DHL Parcel UK hub in Coventry. They can travel up to 400 miles on a full tank and, according to DHL, emit 85% percent less CO2 emissions compared to a traditional Diesel engine with the same power output.
This is part of a £64 million investment in a green heavy fleet to help DHL meet the wider Deutsche Post DHL Group’s sustainability targets. The group has committed to achieving net zero emissions across its logistics operations by 2050.
In addition to the purchase of these vehicles, Deutsche Post DHL Group plans to invest over £6 billion in sustainable fuel and clean technologies by 2030.
Chief Executive of DHL Parcel UK Peter Fuller said: “Our aim is to be at the forefront of change in UK road transport. Having zero emissions electric vehicles in our final mile heavy fleet is a major step forward in our vision of net zero logistics related emissions.”
