DPD has surpassed its 2020 target for 10% of its van fleet to be zero-emission EVs five months ahead of schedule.
At the start of 2020, the parcel delivery company had just over 130 EVs on the road. This number has grown to over 700, and DPD now claims to have the biggest, greenest delivery fleet in the UK.
DPD said that it has so far this year delivered close to five million parcels emission-free, saving over two million kilograms of CO2, and is on course to deliver over 10 million parcels sustainably by the end of 2020.
Dwain McDonald, CEO of DPD, said: “We originally targeted 500 EVs this year, but with over 700, we have absolutely smashed it. The feedback from the depots, our drivers and our customers has been fantastic and that has just encouraged us to go faster. 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.”
McDonald added that the company is investing and expanding its operation because of Covid-19 and the enormous demand from online retailers: “Parcel volumes are 50% up year on year and we are doing an amazing job. But we would like even more of our new vehicles to be green EVs – we just can’t get our hands on enough of them at the moment.”
DPD is currently working with a series of new suppliers to help develop next-generation EVs. 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 new vehicle. DPD is also involved in trials with LEVC for the new VN5 and the Vauxhall e-Vivaro.
