DPD Germany has started operating four aerodynamic semi-trailers between Melle near Osnabrück,Lower Saxony, and Barcelona in order to save around 100 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The reduction effect of the particularly energy-efficient trailers is achieved mainly throughaerodynamics corresponding to the latest technological standards, the company explained.
The trucks will be on the road five days a week in the night-time direct traffic. The route isoperated by the German forwarder Diebel Speditions GmbH on behalf of DPD.
A significantly improved aerodynamics for tractors and trailers results in less fuel consumptionthus reducing CO2 emissions. Other improvements such as a lower rolling resistance of the tyres anda reduced net weight add to the savings effect. The permitted total weight is 38 tonnes with apayload of 25 tonnes.
Armin Bohnhoff, Director of Technology & Operations at GeoPost DPD (Germany), said: “DPDtransports nearly 100% of its European shipments by road thus refraining almost completely from airtransport which causes up to eight times more CO2 emissions. It is even more important toconsistently exploit the savings potential over long distances.”
For further CO2 reduction, DPD and Diebel also want to participate in the field trial for longtrucks in Germany deploying the newly tested trailers. “A combination of long trucks andfuel-saving components would enable DPD to reduce emissions per parcel considerably. Therefore, Icall on politicians to provide the necessary conditions for it promptly,” Bohnhoff added.
Trailers weighing up to 44 tonnes with a length of up to 25.25m are designated long trucks.Currently long trucks are not permitted on German roads. With two long trucks, however, it ispossible to transport freight carried by three conventional trucks which generates a CO2-reductionof 20%. The five-year field test of the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and UrbanDevelopment is aimed to test how long trucks prove themselves on the road and to what extent thiswill reduce CO2 emissions.
Apart from the combination of long trucks and trailers, DPD is testing the four semi-trailersoperating between Melle and Barcelona also on other international long distances.
DPD said this is another step towards greater ecological sustainability in its operationalprocesses. Other measures include, for example, the deployment of electric vehicles for delivery,the use of rail as part of combined traffic as well as efficient network planning.
