Electric vans sprint to regional cities

Following the introduction of electric vans in London earlier in the year, DHL Parcel is investing a further £2.8m to extend its fleet across the UK. The new vehicles will go into operation in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Leicester, Bristol and Southampton, with additional vehicles being added to the company’s electric fleet in London.

The zero emissions, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter L2 has a range of 95 miles and a payload of 775kgs. The bodies have been customised for ease of use for drivers and to ensure continued high service levels.

The rapid charging and extended range of this next generation of electric vans makes them ideal for use in city environments, bringing down the carbon impact of last mile deliveries.

DHL Parcel vice president of operations Scott Laird, says: “Just a few months after our initial electric van deployment in London, we’re delighted to be entering the next phase of our roll-out plans, extending the benefits of these new vehicles across the country.

“The environmental benefits as well as the high performance of these electric vans make it possible to continue supporting customers through the growth of ecommerce while improving air quality in major cities.”

Deutsche Post DHL Group plans to have more than 80,000 e-vehicles on the road and 60% of last mile delivery electrified by 2030. DHL UK has 129 electric vehicles in operation including the UK’s first fully-electric 16 tonne truck.