DPD has met its 2020 target for 10% of its van fleet to be zero emission, electric vehicles, five months ahead of schedule. At the start of 2020, DPD had just over 130 electric vehicles on the road and by July it had over 700 electric vehicles.
So far this year, DPD has delivered close to 5m emissions free parcels, saving over 2m kg of CO2. The company estimates that, on its current zero emissions trajectory, it will deliver well over 10m parcels on its clean, green fleet by the end of 2020.
DPD is also working with a series of new suppliers to help develop the next generation of electric vehicles. Following the launch of the P1 electric assist cargo bike last year, DPD is extending its partnership with Oxford-based manufacturer EAV to create another unique new vehicle. DPD is also involved in trials with LEVC for the new VN5 and the Vauxhall e-Vivaro.
Dwain McDonald, DPD UK’s CEO, commented, “Despite everything that is going on, we’ve been really focused on getting electric vehicles on the road and delivering for us this year. Yes, you need to be trialing new technology and looking at future concepts, but you have to start making a difference now, and that’s what we are doing. We originally targeted 500 electric vehicles this year, but with over 700, we have absolutely smashed it. We know retail customers want this and the reaction on the doorstep is great when recipients see that their parcel has been delivered emission-free too. So, that is a great base for us to build on.”
Source: DPD
