Competitor Watch
Delivery company, DPD has exceeded its own 2020 target for 10 per cent of its van fleet to be zero emission, electric vehicles (EVs), five months ahead of schedule.
As a result, DPD now has the biggest, greenest delivery fleet in the UK. At the start of 2020, DPD had just over 130 EVs on the road and the rapid rise to becoming the most sustainable parcel delivery company in the UK has created enormous benefits already.
So far this year, DPD has delivered close to five million emissions free parcels, saving over two million kilograms of CO2. The firm estimates that, on its current zero emissions trajectory, it will deliver well over 10 million parcels on its clean, green fleet by the end of 2020.
DPD is already working with a series of new and innovative suppliers to help develop the next generation of 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 unique new vehicle. Like Royal Mail, DPD is also involved in trials with London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) for the new VN5 and the Vauxhall e-Vivaro.
DPD’s CEO, Dwain McDonald, said: ‘Despite everything that is going on, we’ve been really focused on getting EVs on the road and delivering for us this year. Yes, you need to be trialling 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 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 are investing and expanding our operation because of Covid-19 and the enormous demand from online retailers. Parcel volumes are 50 per cent 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.’
We’ve had some great feedback about our own EV trials, which are currently going full steam ahead. Click here to hear what colleagues in Hockley, Birmingham think about our partnership with LEVC as they trial one of our stunning new electric ‘taxi’ vans.
