Last month DHL, one of the world’s largest logistics companies, launched a fleet of environmentally-friendly delivery trucks in Manhattan. Launching the new Green Fleet of vehicles is an integral part of the DHL’s global Go Green strategy and the company’s overall mission to reduce their environmental impact.
DHL’s goal is to improve the company’s carbon efficiency worldwide by 30 percent by 2020, compared to 2007 base levels. In addition to developing a greener fleet, the key components of DHL’s Go Green program includes the improvement of the energy efficiency in buildings, the implementation of innovative technologies, the mobilization of employees and the involvement of subcontractors and customers.
The company’s Green Fleet Initiative was launched in New York by Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL. According to Appel, “Customers worldwide are increasingly demanding greener logistics, sustainable business procedures and initiatives like the one we are launching today will – at the same time – also enhance the profitability of our business. Sustainability, especially the reduction of carbon emissions, is a central aspect of our business and an integral part of our corporate strategy. As the global leader in logistics we are ideally positioned to foster climate protection in order to save our environment for future generations.”
The 80-vehicle Green Fleet, DHL Express, will operate 30 American-made, battery-powered electric vans and 50 hybrid trucks, which will work towards reducing CO2 emissions by cutting down fossil fuel use by more than 50 percent each year in comparison to conventional vehicles.
According to DHL’s press release, the Balance Hybrid Electric vehicle components combine Azure’s hybrid powertrain with a Ford E450 chassis. By converting DHL’s existing Ford E450s into hybrids, the vehicle’s fuel economy will improve by up to 40 percent while emissions will be reduced by about 30 percent. Azure will also integrate its Force Drive electric powertrain into new Ford Transit Connect vans. Using an advanced lithium-ion battery, the van can achieve a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge and can be recharged overnight.