DHL 2-Mann-Handling expands electric fleet for last mile delivery

DHL 2-Mann-Handling is expanding its electric fleet in March for low-emission delivery of large and bulky goods for the last mile in parts of Germany.

"A total of 21 new electric vans will be deployed in Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Berlin, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The gradual transition to electric mobility at the DHL subsidiary is part of the group's sustainability programme," says an official release from DHL.

Deutsche Post and DHL are pioneers of electric mobility in Germany with a total of 32,400 electric vehicles for mail and parcel delivery. Over 50 percent of delivery routes in the Post & Parcel Germany division have already been converted to electric drive, and now the transition of the fleet for the delivery of large and bulky goods is also beginning, the release added.

Beate Seeher, Managing Director, DHL 2-Mann-Handling says: "We focus on sustainability not just in our buildings and operational processes. The deployment of electric vehicles for last mile delivery is an important step forward. We can now increasingly deliver large and bulky goods such as furniture, washing machines or TVs to end customers with reduced emissions. This is in line with consumer expectations."

Each electric vehicle saves about 20.4 tonnes of CO2e emissions (based on a "well-to-wheel" perspective) and 6,400 litres of diesel per year compared to a combustion engine in the same category, the release added.

From its central hub in Ludwigsau and a second location in Landsberg, over 30 regional DHL partner depots in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are supplied with shipments daily. Delivery is then made to a location specified by the end customer (room of choice), following prior telephone appointment notification, and can include assembly if needed. DHL 2-Mann-Handling has been operating as an independent subsidiary of the Post & Parcel Germany division since January 2020.