Logistics giant DHL has indicated it could bring a Ford Transit-sized electric van to the UK in order to reduce emissions.
The new van (pictured above) is based on the chassis of the Transit with the body and electric motor manufactured by DHL subsidiary StreetScooter.
Production is due to begin next month with at least 2,500 vehicles on German roads by the end of next year – with the possibility of the vans also coming to the UK.
A UK spokeswoman for DHL told What Van?: “We will put the large electric vehicles into operation in larger cities and will use them for parcel deliveries. We cannot tell yet where exactly.”
However, a spokesman for the brand in Germany told What Van?: “There are currently no plans yet to bring this e-van to the UK.”
Speaking about the partnership with Ford to build the larger van, Jurgen Gerdes, member of the executive board of Deutsche Post [DHL’s parent company], said: “This step emphasises that Deutsche Post is an innovation leader. It will relieve the inner cities and increase people’s quality of life. We will continue working on completely carbon neutral CO2-neutral logistics.”
As well as the larger Transit-based van, DHL produces a smaller electric van – the Work – which has a range of around 50 miles. The firm has announced it is planning to build 20,000 models a year in a plant in Aachen.
“In general, we are planning to use our StreetScooter cars in other European countries,” the UK spokeswoman said.
