Parcel delivery firm DPD orders 300 electric vans

Parcel delivery firm DPD has ordered 300 electric Nissan e-NV200 vans, which they claim is the largest single UK commercial EV van order in history.

The order will take DPD’s electric fleet to 450 vehicles in total, with plans in place to exceed the firm’s stated target of 500 EVs by the end of the year. DPD is aiming for 10% of its van fleet to be electric in each of its 68 UK depots by that point.

DPD vans have become a familiar sight in towns and cities thanks to the popularity of internet shopping and it’s estimated the company delivers 5.2 million parcels every day across the UK and Europe.

The Nissan e-NV200 can cover up to 187 miles on one charge and can be rapid charged to 80% in around 60 minutes, or to full in less than eight hours with a wall box. 

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO said: ‘This is a real landmark day in the move to a more sustainable future for the parcel industry.  These vehicles are changing the way we work. 

‘It isn’t just a case of plugging them in and saying, ‘job done’.  We are rethinking and re-engineering how we deliver parcels now and in the future with different route networks and new types of depots.  It is an all-encompassing revolution for our industry and electric, emission-free vehicles are at the heart of that vision.’

In December, DPD announced they will roll out an air quality monitoring initiative in 20 European cities.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) will be measured on Pollutrack sensors that will be attached to vehicles and will also be installed at DPD pick up points and depots.

The sensors collect real-time data every 12 seconds and citizens will be able to view urban air quality levels on high resolution online maps.

The initiative has been piloted in Lisbon, Paris and Madrid between March and November 2019 and is part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility programme, Driving Change.

Photo Credit – DPDGroup