DHL Express Adds Nearly 100 New Electric Delivery Vans in The US

DHL Express continues making investments to meet its ambitious goals for emissions reduction and climate protection. Following a successful initial pilot program using nine Lightning Electric Ford Transit 350HD electric vans in the US late last year, the company plans to deploy the remaining 89 electric vehicles this year in New York and California.

Check Out These Resources

• Do you need a business bank account for your online business? Take a look at our review of the five best bank accounts for sellers, some of which are free with no minimum balance or deposits. ^[sponsored]
• Boost your social media engagement with Publer. Learn how you can save time writing engaging content faster with AI. ^[sponsored]
• Could your online business use capital for growth? Here is a primer on revenue-based loans, and how they work.

Produced by Lightning eMotors, a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the new electric vehicles are highly durable and capable of achieving 61 MPGe, compared to 13 MPG for similar gas-powered vans. They also include proprietary telematics and analytics software, which will aid with route optimization, driver training and vehicle efficiencies. 

“We’re aiming to improve the lives of people where they live and work, using clean pickup and delivery solutions – such as electric vehicles and cargo cycles – for our first- and last-mile services. With the successful deployment of the first nine pilot vehicles, we are excited to expand our electric delivery van footprint and continue to drive forward our corporate roadmap to decarbonization.”

DHL Express US CEO Greg Hewitt

The new vans enhance an already robust alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet for DHL Express in the US, which includes fully electric, hybrid-electric and clean diesel varieties – in addition to low-power electric-assist e-Cargo Cycles. DHL also began piloting four electric tractor-trailer vehicles in the Los Angeles market, to haul goods to and from the DHL LAX Gateway and local service centers.

“These new electric vans are designed to better serve DHL customers and help couriers to more efficiently and effectively deliver packages. At the same time, they are helping DHL to meet its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban air quality, as well as reduce noise on the streets.”

Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning eMotors

DHL Roadmap to Decarbonization

On March 22, Deutsche Post DHL Group announced an accelerated roadmap to decarbonization, which includes investing a total of 7 billion euros (Opex and Capex) over the next ten years in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions.

This includes a goal of having 80,000 e-vehicles deployed for last-mile deliveries, resulting in 60% electrification of the fleet.