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DHL Express teams up with Al Nabooda to launch electric delivery vehicles

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express logistics provider, has partnered with Al Nabooda Automobiles to introduce for the first time in the region the all-electric Volkswagen e-Golf for deliveries and collections.

This is in line with DHL’s latest announcement on the Cubicyle, a cargo bike with a specialised container for clean pick-up and delivery. The introduction of sustainable solutions into the business are a leg up towards achieving DHL’s zero emissions target by 2050.

The fully customised 134-horsepower electric-Golf car will initially be used for documents’ delivery and collection specifically throughout areas with a reputation of high volume traffic, such as Dubai International Financial Centre and Downtown Dubai, followed by gradual expansion to remaining UAE regions in the near future. Running entirely on electrical current with a 100 kW AC electric motor, re-chargeable on standard power supply, it is also the only, fully customised commercial vehicle in the UAE with a segregated cargo bay separated from the driver. With its full adaptation to DHL’s duties, the e-Golf has the capacity to complete a 250km journey operating on just a single charge as-well-as boasting advanced endurance capabilities when exposed to extreme, warm weather climates. The innovative vehicle also uses a regenerative braking system, allowing the conversion of stored kinetic energy to be used to recharge its batteries.

Highlighting the significance of the launch, Geoff Walsh, UAE country manager for DHL Express commented: “DHL Express is paving the way towards a green future with the aim of bringing our logistic-related emissions to zero by 2050. The introduction of e-Golf is an important step towards implementing our vision to protect the environment, and inspire the entire logistics industry in reducing the impact of day-to-day operations. We are confident that this new and advanced method of delivery will contribute significantly to a more sustainable way of operating in the region.

Commenting on the partnership with Al Nabooda, Mike Barrett, UAE vice president operations for DHL Express said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Al Nabooda Automobiles, who supported us in our mission to reduce carbon emissions. We express our gratitude for their extraordinary efforts in customising the e-Golf electric car into a commercial vehicle. With this launch our goal is to implement eco-friendly delivery services across the entire country in the future.”

Thierry Seys, general manager – Volkswagen expressed: “Al Nabooda Automobiles Volkswagen is thrilled to be associated with DHL for this project aiming at reducing drastically CO2 emissions in the express delivery sector. We will be monitoring closely the activity of these vehicles in search of improving their efficiency as well as increasing the fleet of zero emissions vehicles.”

DHL is establishing itself as an environmental protection leader, consistently aiming to drive the importance of sustainability. In 2017, the company registered a significant initiative for the logistics industry by announcing a commitment to reduce its logistics-related emissions to net zero by 2050. This mission is supported by four interim milestones to be achieved by the year 2050 as part of the Group’s environmental protection program “GoGreen”:

  • To increase the carbon efficiency by 50%
  • To operate 70% of pick-up and delivery services with clean solutions
  • To generate more than 50% of sales from products and services incorporating Green Solutions
  • To train and certify 80% of its employees as “GoGreen” specialists and actively involve them in its environmental and climate protection activities such as planting one million trees every year together with partners

Worldwide, DHL continues to progressively introduce alternative fuel or technically modified vehicles as it strives to meet its “GoGreen” strategy. Through the introduction of the Cubicycle that helps in reducing emissions by minimising mileage through the use of kinetic energy, or to give further momentum to the change with DHL’s Street Scooter electric fleet charged with electricity generated from renewable energy sources; efficiency in root planning is the core of DHL’s “GoGreen” initiative, and through the program they aspire to become change agents for the good of the environment.

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