DHL Seeks to Cut Emissions by Deploying Solar Panels on EV Fleet

DHL Express is installing solar panel units on trucks within its U.S. operations, which include pickup and delivery fleet.

As per the company, its trucks will be equipped with the novel TRAILAR solar technology to help DHL cut down carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1,000 kg per year for each vehicle. The technology is also expected to help lower both fuel and maintenance costs.

The truck-mounted solar system will generate electricity from sunlight, which can also be used to charge the battery, power lift gates and other ancillary equipment. This reduces the load on the alternator and fuel consumption.

The project starts with equipping 67 of DHL Express’ medium and heavy-duty trucks with solar panels. The DHL Group is implementing the TRAILAR solution within many of its fleet operations at business units that operate in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In March, 2021, the Group announced an accelerated roadmap to decarbonisation. Under the plan, the company is expected to invest a total of 7 billion euros over the next 10 years in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions. The investment is aimed at reducing carbon footprint in both its capex and opex segments.

Greg Hewitt, CEO, DHL Express U.S., says, “This is another strategic step in our drive forward to decarbonisation, and over time reducing all logistics related emissions to net zero by 2050.”

“We’re aiming to improve the lives of people where they live and work, using cleaner pickup and delivery solutions – such as electric vehicles and cargo cycles, and now augmenting our truck fleet with this innovative solar solution,” he adds.

The latest technology has an integrated state-of-the-art telematics system which provides detailed information on the efficiency of the entire system through web-based reporting, claims the company. It is supposed to tell the battery health, charging of ancillary equipment, overall fuel and C02 savings and more.

TRAILAR Smart Charge Controller helps in continuous battery management. The compact sir energy is used to maintain battery levels at the most optimum level even when the vehicle is off. Hence, there is a constant care of the battery and reduction in alternator wear. This leads to directly reducing overall vehicle maintenance costs.