Equipping 67 of DHL Express’ medium and heavy-duty trucks with the innovative TRAILAR solar technology is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,000 kg per year for each vehicle, also lowering both fuel and maintenance costs. The solar system generates electricity from sunlight, and will be used to charge the battery, power lift gates and other ancillary equipment. This reduces the load on the alternator and, as a result, fuel consumption.
An integrated, state-of-the-art telematics system provides detailed information on the efficiency of the entire system through web-based reporting, including battery health, charging of ancillary equipment, overall fuel and C02 savings and more. With continuous battery management via the TRAILAR Smart Charge Controller, solar energy is used to maintain battery levels at the most optimum level, even when the vehicle is off. This constant care of the battery and reduction in alternator wear has a direct impact in reducing overall vehicle maintenance costs.
DHL Group implemented the TRAILAR solution within many of its fleet operations at business units that operate in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
On March 22, 2021, Deutsche Post DHL Group announced an accelerated roadmap to decarbonization, which includes investing a total of €7bn (Opex and Capex) over the next ten years in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions.
“This is another strategic step in our drive forward to decarbonization, and over time reducing all logistics related emissions to net zero by 2050.” said DHL Express U.S. CEO Greg Hewitt.
Source: DHL Group
