DHL Group and Ford are expanding their long-standing e-mobility cooperation. By the end of this year, a further 2,400 electric vans from Ford Pro will join DHL’s parcel and postal delivery fleet in Germany. Two models will be deployed.
Although the new deal has only just been announced, most of the vehicles have already been delivered and are in operation – prompting DHL to publish an interim review. The results are positive: in its Post & Parcel Germany (P&P) division, DHL currently operates 4,900 electric vans from Ford Pro. With almost 35,000 electric vehicles soon in service, P&P operates Germany’s largest electric delivery fleet by far – and Ford Pro remains one of its biggest suppliers. Earlier this year, DHL reported that half of its delivery fleet was fully electric – at the time comprising 32,400 EVs.
The two models include the E-Transit, which Ford says is Europe’s best-selling electric van in the two-tonne segment. These larger delivery vehicles typically feature a large box body and are the classic choice for parcel deliveries. The load volume is 18 cubic metres, which, according to Ford Pro, equates to roughly 200 parcels that can be transported per vehicle. The manufacturer offers a 68 kWh battery (315 kilometres WLTP) and an 89 kWh battery (402 kilometres).
“However, the smaller battery option is entirely sufficient for DHL’s use in urban areas, where the average tour length is 20 to 30 kilometers. Compared to a comparable internal combustion vehicle, the E-Transit saves 4 tons of CO2e and 1,200 liters of diesel per year,” says Ford.
DHL is also deploying the smaller E-Transit Custom from the one-tonne segment. These vehicles are used by postal workers for letter deliveries and small, lightweight parcels – known in the sector as “combined delivery”. The load volume is 6.8 cubic metres, with a battery capacity of 64 kWh and a range of up to 328 kilometres. They are primarily used for combined deliveries “in more rural and suburban areas”. Ford expects the diesel and CO₂ savings to be similar to those of the larger E-Transit.
As is now standard practice with electric vans, the manufacturer supplies not only the vehicles but also additional operational services. DHL uses Ford Pro’s connected e-telematics software and its mobile service, which allows specially trained Ford technicians to perform “around 70% of the usual maintenance and repair work directly on-site at DHL depots with their service vans”. According to Ford Pro, its ecosystem increases the uptime of DHL’s electric vans by up to six hours per month.
“We are pleased about the further expansion of our proven collaboration with Ford in e-mobility. Ford is an important partner for us in our goal to further electrify the last mile of delivery,” Nikola Hagleitner, Board Member for Post & Parcel Germany at DHL Group. “We are receiving very positive feedback from our delivery personnel regarding Ford’s electric vehicles. Together, we are making a significant contribution to making parcel and postal delivery in Germany more sustainable.”
Claudia Vogt, Director of Ford Pro for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, adds: “We are proud to support Deutsche Post and DHL in electrifying their fleet with Europe’s most successful electric vans. This further expands our strategic partnership, which goes beyond just vehicle delivery. By providing not only our E-Transit models but also our Ford Pro ecosystem of smart software and service offerings, we increase the uptime and productivity of the DHL fleet.”
dhl.com
