Adding a rival is the ever-elusive “last mile” challenge. Today, Ford Pro, the automaker’s new global vehicle services and distribution business, announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Deutsche Post DHL Group to supply the logistics company with more than 2000 all-electric delivery vans. Although Ford Pro initially targets Europe and North America, the announcement states that the electric vans are a part of DHL’s zero-emission logistics initiatives and will eventually reduce delivery vehicle emissions “around the globe.”
By the end of 2023, Ford will provide DHL with over 2000 electric delivery vans. The two-ton E-Transit model will be one of the new electric delivery vehicles offered by DHL. Ford Pro’s connected E-Telematics software and charging solutions for these commercial vans are intended to make it simpler for fleet managers to coordinate charging and other changes necessary for switching to zero-emission EVs.Ford said that it might also use the data from the new electric vehicles to work with Deutsche Post DHL Group on future products for the delivery company’s specific operations. In a similar vein, Ford recently created and delivered vans outfitted with individualized boxes for DHL vans that delivered goods to German cities.
In its global fleet, DHL has tested additional electric delivery vehicles.DHL placed an order for 2500 electric Ford Transit vans in 2017, and in early 2021, Lightning eMotors converted nearly 100 more vans. Nearly 27,000 electric vans are currently in use by DHL in countries like the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.DHL stated that by 2030, it intends to have carbon-neutral pickup and delivery vehicles for 60% of its fleet.
Electric delivery vans are being used by other automakers as well. For instance, FedEx was the first company to use BrightDrop’s electric EV600 van, and Amazon is currently using more than 1,000 Rivian electric delivery vans in the United States. Ford has previously stated that it intends to achieve “zero emissions for all vehicle sales and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics, and suppliers by 2035, and carbon neutrality globally no later than 2050” as climate goals for its activities in Europe.
With a low cargo roof and a starting price of $55,585, the new Ford E-Transit has a range of 126 miles, according to Ford.
