DPD has started operating five eco-friendly, electrical battery-powered vehicles in theStuttgart conurbation in southern Germany to test emission-free parcel delivery in the region.
Manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, the Vito E-CELL van is the world’s first ex-factorybattery-powered transporter which is perfectly suitable for inner-city delivery thanks to itsinnovative, emission-free drive system. DPD is one of the very first companies to test the VitoE-CELL in its daily operations.
Peter Bachmann, DPD branch manager in Ludwigsburg, close to Stuttgart, commented: “The VitoE-CELL enables DPD to deliver parcels without emissions, because the vehicle is free from exhaustfumes and engine noise.”
The Vito-E-CELL has a lower load capacity and a shorter range than conventional DPD deliveryvehicles, which is why it is used only for deliveries to private consignees in inner-city areas.Here, the driver has to make a relatively large number of stops within a small area in order todeliver parcels.
In contrast to business consignees, private customers often receive a single parcel only. Ininner city areas, this means many stops, combined with relatively small parcel volumes and shortdistances. The Vito E-CELL is also better suited for restricted traffic and parking situations,because it is more manoeuvrable than conventional vans. “Our new vehicles are exactly the rightanswer to the particularly high noise and emissions pollution found in inner-city areas,” Bachmannadded.
The electric vehicles are charged at charging stations which have been set up at the DPDbranches in Ludwigsburg and Wendlingen. Batteries are charged at night when surplus electricity isavailable, which means that no additional electricity needs to be generated for the purpose ofcharging the batteries.
Gerd Seber, Sustainable Development Manager at DPD GeoPost , Germany, said: “As a leadingprovider of parcel services, DPD has a special responsibility towards the environment. We operate atransport-based business and are constantly investigating ways of reducing the emissions which aregenerated in the process. Alternative drive systems can play a decisive role in this, provided thatthey can prove their viability in practical operations.”
The on-road test of the five Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL vehicles is fixed for a period of fouryears and approximately 80,000 km per vehicle, after which the electrically-powered vans will bereturned to Mercedes-Benz. During these four years, consumption and cruising range will becontinually measured and monitored, with DPD sharing the experience gained during the test phasewith the manufacturer. “This way, DPD intends to drive forward the further development of thisenvironmentally-friendly and future-oriented drive system,” Seber explained.
