Electric Vehicles: Ford Unveils Electric Delivery Trucks for Post and DHL, German Market
In a significant move towards a greener future, DHL Group and Ford Pro are expanding their strategic partnership in electric mobility, particularly in Germany's parcel and postal delivery sector. By the end of 2025, Ford Pro will deliver an additional 2,400 electric vans to DHL, comprising two models: the Ford E-Transit and the smaller E-Transit Custom, both leading electric vans in their respective segments in Europe [1][2][3][4].
This expansion follows an existing deployment where DHL's Post & Parcel Germany (P&P) unit currently operates a total of 4,900 Ford Pro electric vans. With this new delivery, the total number of electric vehicles in DHL's P&P fleet in Germany will rise to approximately 35,000, making it by far the largest electric delivery fleet in the country. Ford Pro is one of DHL’s largest electric vehicle suppliers, underscoring the significance of their partnership in electrifying last-mile delivery [1][2][3].
The partnership between Ford Pro, Deutsche Post, and DHL includes a package of solutions to operate the electric fleet efficiently. Ford Pro provides its connected E-Telematics software as part of the partnership, offering real-time data on vehicle performance, diagnostics, and maintenance [2][3]. This software is designed to increase fleet uptime and productivity, a crucial aspect for DHL as they continue their efforts towards a fully electric delivery fleet.
The E-Transit, an electric van in the 2-ton segment, has a cargo volume of 18 cubic meters and can transport approximately 200 parcels. The smaller E-Transit Custom, operating in combined delivery, has a cargo volume of 6.8 cubic meters [2]. More than 2,100 units of this vehicle type are still in use in DHL's parcel delivery.
Ford Pro offers a maintenance contract tailored to the specific application of each customer, ensuring that specially trained technicians from Ford Transit Centers can perform around 70 percent of the usual maintenance and repair work directly on-site at DHL depots [3]. This not only streamlines maintenance processes but also reduces downtime for the electric vehicles.
For customers requiring more range, Ford Pro offers the E-Transit with a larger 89 kWh battery for up to 402 kilometers per charge [2]. The E-Transit Custom's battery capacity is 64 kWh, and its range is up to 328 kilometers [2].
The collaboration between DHL and Ford Pro extends beyond the provision of vehicles. Ford Pro's ecosystem increases the operating time of connected electric vans by up to six hours per month for DHL, contributing to overall operational efficiency in e-mobility [2][3].
In 2022, Ford Pro and DHL signed a mutual declaration of intent to form a strategic partnership to accelerate the use of electric vans in global logistics. DHL aims to increase the share of electric vehicles in the delivery fleet for the first and last mile to over 66% by 2030 [1][2][3]. This ambitious goal underscores DHL's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and contributing to a sustainable future.
[1] https://www.dhl.com/en/press/news/dhl-and-ford-pro-expand-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-the-use-of-electric-vans-in-global-logistics.html [2] https://www.ford-pro.com/en-eu/news/dhl-and-ford-pro-announce-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-the-use-of-electric-vans-in-global-logistics [3] https://www.dhl.com/en/press/news/dhl-to-expand-electric-vehicle-fleet-to-37000-by-end-of-2022.html [4] https://www.dhl.com/en/press/news/dhl-deploys-more-electric-vehicles-in-germany.html
- The strategic partnership between DHL Group and Ford Pro focuses on the science and technology of electric mobility, aiming at boosting environmental-science by reducing carbon emissions in the industry.
- As part of this initiative, Ford Pro will supply DHL with 2,400 additional electric vans by the end of 2025, including the Ford E-Transit and the smaller E-Transit Custom, leading electric vans in their respective segments in Europe.
- The investment in these electric vehicles, along with the ongoing operation of 4,900 Ford Pro electric vans, will make DHL's P&P fleet in Germany the largest electric delivery fleet in the country, contributing to a sustainable future.
- Collaboration between DHL and Ford Pro not only involves the provision of vehicles but also encompasses solutions in finance, transportation, and technology, such as Ford Pro's E-Telematics software for efficient fleet management and maintenance contracts tailored to each customer's specific application.
