Deutsche Post DHL expands its green fleet with dual fuel vehicles

• Group acquires 63 new dual-fuel trucks
• Several Group projects worldwide increase the use of alternative drive systems for delivery and transport

Bonn

Deutsche Post DHL further expands its fleet of about 8,500 vehicles with alternative drive systems and aerodynamic modifications. In the UK, DHL introduced 63 new dual-fuel trucks that run on diesel and natural gas. The total fleet in the UK now comprises 95 in total with another 50 of these trucks on order. By adding to their green fleet, the Group not only acts in an environmentally friendly way, but also saves costs by using less diesel.

DHL Supply Chain UK now houses a dedicated state-of-the-art liquefied natural gas refueling station at its Bawtry campus near Sheffield for its dual fuel vehicles. The dual fuel drive system is one of the few alternative systems that also work for heavy load trucks - the trucks at DHL UK are designed to operate at 44 tonnes. Hybrid or electric vehicles cannot be used in this transport segment due to their limited loading capacities and distance range. Dual fuel vehicles typically reduce carbon emissions by up to 14 percent.

“Adding these new vehicles for heavy load transport is another step in offering our customers green solutions along the entire supply chain,” says Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL. “It’s good for everyone: our customers benefit by reducing their carbon footprint, and it brings the Group closer to its goal of increasing its carbon efficiency by 30 percent by 2020.”

Another Step to green solutions along the entire supply chain

Deutsche Post DHL has been involved in many alternative drive system pilot projects over the years. This includes hybrid engines, electric vehicles and both natural gas and biogas vehicles as well as dual fuel and aerodynamic modifications. Electric and hybrid vehicles are especially suited for driving in stop-and-go city delivery. Since 2007, so-called teardrop trailer have been in use for DHL Supply Chain, in Manhattan, DHL rolled out an all green fleet of commercial delivery vehicles as early as 2011.

Around 80 electric and hybrid vehicles deliver in the heart of New York. And in mid-2013, Deutsche Post DHL began transforming Bonn, where the Group is headquartered, into Germany’s first city with a carbon-free vehicle concept for mail and parcel delivery. The dual fuel vehicles in the UK are an important step for the Group in expanding its green fleet by yet another 100 vehicles in the heavy load transportation sector.