Electric Tractor-Trailer Vehicles are the latest addition to DHL’s Green Fleet

DHL is staying on track to make sure that it meets its climate protection goals. The leading international express services provider continues to stay committed to its goal of emission reduction with the latest addition of trailer-trucks to its green fleet.

The launching of four BYD Class 8 battery-electric trucks to its US fleet by DHL comes at exactly the right time. Festive season is fast approaching and is the peak time for shipping orders. These trucks will be piloted in the Los Angeles market.

 Manufactured by BYD Motors., the trucks come with long-lasting and safe battery technology that can smoothly function all day, just on a single charge with an ability to operate at 82,000 lbs. combined weight. The aim is to use these trucks in the LA market for hauling goods back and forth from the DHL LAX Gateway as well as local service center facilities.

Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S., said, “The introduction of these efficient electric trucks is a huge step forward, not only toward achieving our own clean transport goals, but also California’s ambitious goals on the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. By implementing these electric trucks, we will prevent more than 300 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere per year, as we continue to grow and enhance our clean pick-up and delivery solutions.”

The newest addition to DHL’s already robust alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet in the U.S. which consists of fully electric, hybrid-electric, and clean diesel vehicles, the trucks also have low-power electric-assist e-Cargo Cycles.

John Gerra, r. Director of Business Development at BYD Motors, said, “As a global leader in logistics and express services, DHL has proved that they’re serious about their commitment to transition to zero-emission trucking. DHL is doing more than just talking about it; they’re actually putting BYD electric trucks into commercial service, today.”

In order to support their pickup and delivery operations all over California and New York, DHL express also has 72 all-electric battery-powered vans on order from multiple vendors. Back in 2017, the company had set an ambitious goal of cutting down its emissions to net zero by 2050.  

The logistics sector has been seen as an early adopter of the EV transition, thanks to concentrated customers with ability to set up their own charging facilities too.