Competitor Watch
Parcel delivery company DPD is taking delivery of 300 new electric Nissan e-NV200 vans by May 2020, in what is believed to be the largest single UK commercial EV van order to date.
The Nissan e-NV200 can cover 124-187 miles on one charge and can be rapid charged to 80% in around 60 minutes, or to full in less than eight hours with a wall box. The e-NV200 boasts 4.2m2 load space and two sliding doors for easy access.
In February, Royal Mail signed a deal with EDF in the UK, the UK’s leading low carbon energy producer, to deliver electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
This partnership will support our commitment under the Optimise Prime Project – the world’s largest commercial electric vehicle project. The three-year framework will see EDF provide charging points, associated maintenance and ancillary items such as signs, bollards and wheel stops.
DPD has been using the Nissan e-NV200 successfully for deliveries over the last 18 months.
DPD has since agreed a deal with vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus UK for 100 eTGE electric vans. The deal takes DPD’s electric fleet up to 600 vehicles in total.
The 3.5t van is the workhorse of the parcel delivery industry, but until now, electric versions have not been widely available in the UK. DPD will take the first 100 eTGE’s when they roll off the production line from June 2020.
MAN’s eTGE is tailored to meet the requirements of inner-city delivery traffic with a load capacity of 10.7m3 and a range of 65-70 miles. The 36kW lithium ion battery can be fully charged at a charge point in just over five hours or rapid charged to 80% in 45 minutes.
DPD CEO Dwain McDonald, said: ‘These vehicles are changing the way we work. W are rethinking and re-engineering how we deliver parcels now and in the future with different route networks and new types of depots. It is an all-encompassing revolution for our industry and electric, emission-free vehicles are at the heart of that vision.’
The Nissan and MAN orders will give DPD the largest EV parcel delivery fleet in the UK, with DPD aiming for 10% of its van fleet to be electric in each of its 68 UK depots by the end of this year.
The order took DPD’s electric fleet to 450 vehicles in total, with plans in place to exceed the firm’s stated target of 500 EVs by the end of the year, making it the largest EV parcel delivery fleet in the UK. DPD is aiming for 10% of its van fleet to be electric in each of its 68 UK depots by that point.
