German logistics company DHL has recently ordered a new fleet of 63 Workhorse NGEN-1000 electric delivery vans for use throughout the United States with an expected roll-out estimated by the end of 2019.
In March 2017, Deutsche Post DHL Group, the parent company of DHL Express, announced their plan to cut their logistics-related emissions to net zero by 2050. According to the German logistics company, they intend to increase the number of clean transport vehicles used to carry out their first- and last-mile delivery services to 70 percent by 2025.
In order to achieve their goal, DHL will be adding 63 Workhorse NGEN-1000 electric delivery vans to their ever-growing fleet of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV), which consists of fully-electric, hybrid, compressed natural gas (CNG), and clean diesel vehicles. American manufacturing company Workhorse Group, the supplier of the NGEN-1000 models, is currently based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and focuses primarily on manufacturing electrically powered delivery and utility vehicles. According to Workhorse, the NGEN-1000 electric delivery vans are “built to be among the safest, most efficient last-mile delivery and work truck systems available.” The vans have an estimated 100-mile range and sport ultra-low floors to reduce the physical stress on workers’ knees and backs as well as a high roof design that accommodates approximately 6,000 lbs of payload thanks to 1,008 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S., commented on the recent order, stating:
“Throughout the United States, DHL has proactively sought opportunities in select markets where we can implement AFV fleets that will help us reach our clean transport goals while continuing to provide a superior service experience. This year alone, nearly 30 percent of our new vehicles will be alternative fuel. We’re excited about the technologies that continue to emerge in this area and how they are benefiting the logistics industry.”
The first 30 NGEN-1000 electric delivery vans are expected to roll-out in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Source: Workhorse
