Parcel delivery company DPD has announced it has begun trialling electric HGVs (e-HGVs) on the road in partnership with vehicle manufacturer MAN, with the aim of introducing heavy-duty electric trucks later this year.
The trials will use the MAN eTGX and be based at DPD’s Hinckley hub 4, where the tractor will be assigned to a route for operational testing, towing a standard trailer.
DPD is also working with MAN to develop a configuration capable of pulling double-decker trailers and the first vehicle with that spec will be on test with DPD later this year.
Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability, DPDgroup UK, commented, “With over a third of our delivery vans now electric and the vast majority of our transport fleet running on HVO [hydrogenated vegetable oil], we have made very real progress toward meeting our net-zero targets.
“Electric HGVs have the potential to become a viable solution in the future, and we now believe we can get the configuration we need to maintain our double-decker trailer fleet, which has enabled us to reduce the overall number of HGVs we put on the road for many years.
“HVO is likely to remain the most effective solution in the medium term, delivering a huge emissions reduction. It remains key to our strategy for reaching our near-term target in 2030, but we are keen to work with manufacturers to help develop the electric trucks that can work for us in the real world.”
Stefan Thyssen, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus UK, added, “We are thrilled to have partnered with DPD on their electric HGV road trials. As a manufacturer, we are committed to supporting our customers in decarbonizing their road transport operations.
“These trials with our all-electric eTGX tractor not only demonstrate the real-world viability of electric trucks in a high-demand logistics environment but also highlight the significant emissions reductions and sustainability benefits they bring to the industry.”