German postal group DHL will deploy 44 new electric trucks on routes across Europe after signing an agreement with Volvo Trucks - and six have already been delivered to the UK.
DHL hopes the move will accelerate the firm’s shift to zero emissions vehicles.
The firm intends to order 40 electric trucks, with the Volvo FE and Volvo FL models to be used for package deliveries in urban areas.
DHL also plans on using electric trucks for longer routes and will begin using the Volvo trucks for regional hauling, starting with the Volvo FM Electric trucks in the UK.
The first six trucks have already been delivered to DHL Parcel UK, while two more have been added to the DHL Freight fleet.
The firm says this should result in an annual saving of nearly 600 tons of CO2 and nearly 225,000 litres of diesel fuel for DHL Group.
DHL says the reason for its new uptake of electric trucks was due to the positive experience the company had using an electric Volvo lorry for last-mile deliveries in London since November 2020.
The vehicle was the very first fully electric commercial heavy truck used for urban logistics in the UK.
Volvo Trucks started serial production of electric trucks in 2019 and achieved a market chare of 42% in 2021.
"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,” said Pablo Ciano, executive vice president for corporate development at DHL Group.
"As a logistics service provider, the conversion of our vehicle fleet is an important lever to help us avoid CO2 emissions on the road as well.”
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