German logistics company Dachser is leading the way in addressing the unique challenges of reducing emissions in logistics. The company’s Emission-Free Delivery concept for city-center deliveries, which began as a research and innovation project, has already been rolled out in 12 European metropolitan regions, with plans for further expansion into 10 more major European cities by 2025.
Dachser’s zero-emission delivery strategy is powered by a range of vehicles, including battery-electric vans and trucks, as well as electrically assisted cargo bikes, which are chosen from a modular system to meet local requirements. The cargo bikes are designed for groupage and palleted goods weighing up to 250 kilograms and start their tour at a transit terminal close to the city center, known as a microhub, and carry goods into busy pedestrian zones. The e-trucks, on the other hand, supply the microhubs with goods or deliver the goods directly to recipients in cases where parcels and pallets are too large or heavy for bike transport.
Dachser’s Chief Development Officer, Stefan Hohm, stated that “Dachser Emission-Free Delivery proves that we can make groupage deliveries for the last mile emission-free. What started as a research project is now an established part of our business operations, lighting the path to more sustainable city logistics.”
The company’s zero-emission delivery areas for non-chilled goods in the Dachser network help city administrations improve air quality and reduce traffic noise. Since the battery-electric trucks and cargo bikes emit no air pollutants, they play a major part in keeping the air clean. Dachser is committed to using only renewable energy, bringing operational greenhouse-gas emissions for the last mile, from the branch to the recipient, down to zero, says the comapny.
The company’s focus is on major European cities with populations of at least one million. The availability of zero-emission vehicles and associated charging infrastructure is a critical factor in the expansion of the concept. Alexander Tonn, Chief Operations Officer Road Logistics at Dachser, explained “since vehicle manufacturers have now ramped up their production capacity, we expect electric trucks to be more readily available in the future.”
