DHL Parcel UK is moving one step closer to its net zero logistics target with the delivery of six fully electric 16-tonne Volvo trucks and 30 LNG Volvo tractor units.
As orginally reported in our sister publication Motor Transport, the Volvo electric 16-tonners will hit the road in London from January 2023, with the 30 LNG tractors going into operation later in the year.
Both deployments are part of a £64m UK investment in green heavy fleet in line with Deutsche Post DHL Group’s sustainability strategy.
The group said this latest investment marks another important step forward in DHL Parcel UK’s decarbonization plans and Deutsche Post DHL Group’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
As part of this strategy DHL will invest over £6bn in sustainable fuel and clean technologies by 2030 alone.
The group said that converting the DHL fleet for pick-up, delivery and linehauls to either electric drives or sustainable fuel solutions is an important lever in this.
Peter Fuller CEO, DHL Parcel UK 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.”
The 16-tonne Volvo FL Electric Rigids are powered by four 200 kWh batteries which can run for 120
miles, carrying a maximum of 12 pallets weighing up to 6 tonnes.
They will recharge overnight at strategic DHL Parcel locations in London for daily operations into the city centre. The vehicles are also three star compliant to the London Direct Vision Standard.
The 30 new Volvo FM LNG Tractors will be based at the DHL Parcel UK hub in Coventry, once commissioning of the Bio-LNG gas tank is complete and drivers have been trained in how to safely re-fuel the vehicles.
The LNG trucks have a maximum reach of up to 400 miles per tank and will be used on routes throughout the UK.
When running on Bio-LNG, DHL UK said the LNG tractor units emit 85% less CO2 emissions compared to a traditional diesel engine with the same power output (460bhp).
