09/20/2010 02:06 pm

DHL is counting on Iveco Electric Daily for environmentally-friendly transport

On September 22, Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading mail and logistics group, will be symbolically receiving the first Iveco Electric Daily at the International Automotive Show (IAA) in Hanover. The 10 vehicles will be deployed as of 2011 in parcel delivery at various locations in Germany, e.g. Berlin, Bonn, Düsseldorf and Hamburg.

Deutsche Post DHL uses around 2,700 vehicles that promote climate protection and reduce CO2 emissions. These include for example vehicles with hybrid or electric drives, alternative fuels or even modifications for engine electronics and aerodynamics. With Europe's first 3.5 ton e-vehicle, Iveco has produced an e-vehicle based on its traditional transporter Iveco Daily.
With the test of the transporter in its operations, Deutsche Post DHL will support the further development of electric drives for use in logistics in order to reduce the currently high costs for these drives in the medium term, especially for the transporter class and to enable economic viability.

"By deploying Europe's first 3.5 ton transporter with an electric drive, we are piloting a technology of the future in our daily business. We hope to be able to provide key insights for the further development of alternative vehicles and become the pioneers in the area of climate protection," said Thomas Zuber, Head of Mail and DHL Parcel Delivery.

"Iveco has long since made a name for itself in developing alternative drives. For over 20 years, the company has been testing and producing gas and hybrid vehicles. With its extensive transport network, Deutsche Post DHL is an ideal partner for testing the vehicles in an operational setting," said John Venstra, Head of Sales and Marketing at Iveco Magirus AG.

E-vehicles are especially suited for driving in town with more start and stop traffic patterns and a daily travel distance of 40 km. With a reach of 90 km, the batteries in the Iveco Electric Daily are well sized and can be charged over night at the Deutsche Post DHL depots or delivery bases.

Since 2008, Deutsche Post DHL has been using green electricity in their bases and office buildings in Germany, through which the CO2 emissions from Iveco Electric Daily are fully offset. With almost no emission of pollutants and noise, the trucks are very environmentally friendly. Independence from fossil fuels makes the tests with electric drives into an investment for the future, results of which will be able to enable production nationwide.

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