DHL IS BUILDING THEIR OWN ELECTRIC VEHICLES!!! SHOUT IT OUT!!!
DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, is rolling out an all “green” fleet of commercial delivery vehicles in Manhattan to help reduce its impact on the city’s environment. Frank Appel, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Post DHL, announced the company’s initiative in New York City as he presented the inaugural vehicles in the 80-vehicle fleet.
In September 2011, DHL Express will operate 30 Made in American, all electric vans and 50 hybrid electric trucks.
These 80 vehicles will cut down fossil fuel use and in combination reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50 percent each year in comparison to conventional vehicles.
“Sustainability, especially the reduction of carbon emissions, is a central aspect of our business and an integral part of our corporate strategy. As the global leader in logistics we are ideally positioned to foster climate protection in order to save our environment for future generations,” said Appel. “As customers worldwide are increasingly demanding greener logistics, sustainable business procedures and initiatives like the one we are launching today will – at the same time – also enhance the profitability of our business.”
The two types of green vehicles to be used in New York City by DHL Express are being manufactured in the U.S. by Azure Dynamics. I remember them from when I worked for the New York Power Authority. They are a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric commercial vehicles.
Ford Motor Co. produces the chassis for these vehicles. The Balance Hybrid Electric vehicle components combine Azure’s hybrid powertrain with a Ford E450 chassis.
By Building Their Own Electric Vehicles, DHL’s existing Ford E450s into hybrids, the vehicle’s fuel economy will improve by up to 40 percent while emissions will be reduced by about 30 percent.
Azure will also integrate its Force Drive electric powertrain into new Ford Transit Connect vans. Using an advanced lithium-ion battery, the van can achieve a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge and can be recharged overnight.
It’s a perfect fit since the Transit Connect body is the same type the are using as a totally gas van. Now by using the Transit Connect Electric drive system, you get cool, quiet, fast, efficient and be able to breathe at the same time!!
“Our investment in these new green vehicles supports a more energy-efficient, low-emissions economy,” said Ian Clough, CEO for DHL Express U.S. “Having partnered with American companies also represents an investment in the U.S. economy.”
The new DHL vehicles are part of the company’s comprehensive GoGreen program, which aims at adding fuel-efficient, hybrid, electric or aerodynamically modified vehicles to its fleet worldwide. In the past year, DHL has upgraded its delivery vehicles worldwide, including in several European and Asian countries as well as in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay in the Americas.
Source: DHL USA
http://www.dhl-usa.com/about/pr/PRDetail.asp?nav=PressRoom/PressReleases&year=2011&seq=1385
