Volvo Trucks and Deutsche Post DHL Group have signed a cooperation agreement designed to intensify DHL’s transition to heavy electric trucks by deploying 44 new electric Volvo trucks on routes in Europe.
The agreement covers a combination of trucks for urban deliveries together with a smaller number of larger trucks for regional hauling, the first four of which will start operating in the UK.
The first trucks have been ordered already, six by DHL Parcel UK and two by DHL Freight. This will result in annually savings of nearly 600 tons of CO2 and nearly 225,000 litres of diesel fuel for Deutsche Post DHL Group.
Pablo Ciano, Executive Vice President for Corporate Development at Deutsche Post DHL Group said, “We are committed to meet growing customer demand for green and sustainable solutions and achieve our long-term goal of net zero emissions by 2050. As a logistics service provider, the conversion of our vehicle fleet is an important lever to help us avoid CO2 emissions and several of our divisions will thus benefit from this agreement with Volvo Trucks.”
A significant factor in DHL’s decision to ramp up the transition to zero emission vehicles is due to the positive experience it has had using an electric Volvo truck in London since November 2020 – making last mile deliveries into the West End shopping district. The vehicle was the very first fully electric commercial heavy truck used for urban logistics in the UK.
Roger Alm, President at Volvo Trucks said, “DHL is an important global logistics provider, committed to reducing its impact on climate change. Together we can make a difference for the better and I’m proud we will work in the spirit of partnership, aiming to reach our science-based targets to reduce our climate impacts.”
The cooperation involves adoption of new Volvo technologies and joint development activities including analysis by Volvo Trucks of DHL’s transport operations, with the goal to ensure successful deployment of tailor-made electrical transport solutions.
Volvo Trucks says it is leading the market for heavy all-electric trucks in Europe, with a market share of 42% in 2021 and a wide range of customers in Europe, North America and Australia.
