TNT is to make a major effort across the company this year to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in abid to reduce “the CO2 footprint of our company”, chief executive Peter Bakker told journalists
this week.As Bakker was unveiling to the press the first of TNT’s new Boeing 747 extended rangefreighters, which will serve the carrier’s growing Europe-China traffic, the CEO said much of thecompany’s focus in 2007 would go on reducing its contribution to global warming.
The new 747s were among the most fuel-efficient freighters on the market, Bakker told theReuters news agency, but would still increase TNT’s direct CO2 emissions.
“Unless you want to get out of the business, there is no option but to try and fly and drivemore fuel-efficient, and that is what this machine will do,” he said.
The company, a leader in the environmental Dow Jones Sustainability Index, was especiallylooking to lower the environmental impact of its 42,000-strong truck fleet, said Bakker.
TNT Express is thinking about launching a potentially revolutionary, zero-emission electriclorry, currently on trial in London, in major European cities, If it proves successful, the companywill incorporate it throughout its worldwide fleet.
The battery-powered truck can travel at up to 50 miles (80 km) an hour, has a range of 130miles (208km) and can be recharged on board or through domestic mains.
Cost of recharging the battery is estimated to be EUR 37 a week, which compares favourablywith the EUR 164 that can be expected to be spent on the weekly fuel for a diesel vehicle, saysTNT.
