Parcel giants DPD and DHL have launched new electric vehicle pilots in Ireland and the Netherlands as demand for last mile sustainability grows.
DPD launched its ElectriCity electric depot at Dublin’s Docklands Innovation Park earlier this week (30 April).
The fleet will serve 15 electric routes in the Dublin City Centre area. It comprises a range of vehicles including small Paxsters for nimble movement through streets and Goupils and LDVs for larger parcels.
Ireland’s government has set a target of 10% of vehicles on the country’s roads being electric by 2020.
Richard Bruton, who heads up Ireland’s environmental department, said at the launch: “Transitioning to a low carbon economy will require more sustainable choices and leadership from industry.
“By electrifying their fleet, DPD are putting sustainability at the heart of their business.”
Also this week, rival DHL expanded its sustainable fleet by introducing the Goupil in two cities in the Netherlands, an electric vehicle made in France.
The car is designed to be compact and manoeuvrable for inner-city distribution. It has a sufficient range for a day’s worth of delivery with a maximum speed of 50km per hour.
The initial phase of the programme will see the vehicle rolled out in Rotterdam and Utrecht.
“Both Rotterdam and Utrecht have a clear ambition when it comes to emission-free transport and DHL is happy to respond,” the company said in a statement.
