DHL Expands Green Fleet With Launch of Electric Tractor-Trailer Vehicles in U.S.

- Supports company goal to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050

- Trucks are being introduced in Los Angeles, with more electric vehicles planned in the U.S. this year

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Nov 17, 2020, 15:15 ET

PLANTATION, Fla., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL, the world's leading international express services provider, is forging ahead with its emissions reduction and climate protection goals with the launch of four BYD Class 8 battery-electric trucks in the United States. DHL is piloting the trucks in the Los Angeles market, just in time for the peak holiday shipping season.

The electric trucks are manufactured by BYD Motors, and built with long-lasting and safe battery technology, capable of running all day on a single charge. Equipped with a comfortable air-ride cab and air suspension, the trucks have more than enough power and torque to operate at 82,000 lbs. combined weight. DHL plans to use the new trucks in the Los Angeles market, to haul goods to and from the DHL LAX Gateway and local service center facilities.

"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," said Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S. "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 new trucks enhance the company's already robust alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet in the U.S., which includes fully electric, hybrid-electric, and clean diesel – in addition to low-power electric-assist e-Cargo Cycles.

"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," said John Gerra, Sr. Director of Business Development at BYD Motors. "DHL is doing more than just talking about it; they're actually putting BYD electric trucks into commercial service, today."

In addition, DHL Express has 72 all-electric battery-powered vans on order from multiple vendors, which will support DHL pickup and delivery operations throughout California and New York.

In March 2017, Deutsche Post DHL Group, the parent company of DHL Express, registered a significant first for the logistics industry by setting an ambitious goal of reducing its logistics-related emissions to net zero by 2050. Climate protection and sustainability are particularly important for the future direction of Deutsche Post DHL Group's business, and a core element of its Strategy 2025.

To learn more about the DHL Mission 2050, visit https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home/about-us/sustainability/mission-2050.html

Media Contact:
DHL Express Americas
Media Relations
Robert Mintz
Phone: +1 425 984 4249
E-mail: [email protected]

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DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 63 billion Euros in 2019.

About BYD
The Official Sponsor of Mother Nature™, BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is the world's leading electric vehicle company with proven innovative technology for cars, buses, trucks, forklifts, and rail systems – like SkyRail. BYD is dedicated to creating a "total solution" with truly its zero-emission ecosystem offering technology for solar electricity generation, energy storage to save that electricity, and battery-electric vehicles powered by that clean energy. BYD has 220,000 employees across the globe, including nearly 1,000 in North America.

For more information, please visit https://en.byd.com/ or follow BYD on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Contact: Jim Skeen/media relations specialist at [email protected]/661-436-0513

SOURCE DHL