DHL Parcel UK is investing a further £2.8m (US$3.8m) to add 50 new electric vans to its fleet across UK cities, before the end of 2021.
Following the introduction of electric vans in London earlier in the year, the new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter L2 vehicles will go into operation in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Leicester, Bristol and Southampton, with additional vehicles also being added to the company’s electric fleet in London.
The zero-emission, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter L2 has a range of 95 miles and a payload of 775kg. The rapid charging and extended range of this next-generation electric van makes it ideal for use in city environments, bringing down the carbon impact of last-mile deliveries.
Deutsche Post DHL Group plans to have more than 80,000 e-vehicles on the road and 60% of last-mile delivery electrified globally by 2030. Across the UK, DHL has 129 electric vehicles in operation including the UK’s first fully electric 16-metric ton truck.
Scott Laird, vice president of operations at DHL Parcel, said, “Just a few months after our initial electric van deployment in London, we’re delighted to be entering the next phase of our rollout plans, extending the benefits of these new vehicles across the country. The environmental benefits, as well as the high performance of these electric vans, make it possible to continue supporting customers through the growth of e-commerce while improving air quality in major cities.”
