DPD appeals for help to reduce its fleet's carbon emissions

DPD has launched a new initiative to find suppliers who can further reduce its fleet’s carbon emissions.

The delivery company has more than 10,000 vehicles operating in the UK and has already taken action to reduce their environment impact.

However, it wants to further cut this and has partnered with L Marks to launch an EcoLab, which is a 10-week programme which aims to bring together experts in sustainability, technology and innovation to develop and test new ideas to help DPD achieve its goal of reaching net zero by 2040.

For its 1,000 HGVs, it is looking for solutions around alternative fuel sources, electric batteries and alternative delivery methods.

It already has 3,000 electric vehicles in its collection and delivery fleet, and in this area it is looking for solutions to make driving EVs easier for employees, such as EV charging stations and alternative EVs.

Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability at DPDgroup UK, said: “The project will play a key part in shaping our sustainability strategy and helping achieve our stated aim of being the most sustainable parcel delivery company in the UK.

“Investing in and developing new sustainable technologies and innovations is crucial in the next few years to ensure we can reach net zero, and partnering with experts in this way can accelerate that progress.”

DPD was one of the first major UK fleets to commit to transitioning to BEVs, and its ambition to be the UK’s most sustainable delivery company has become a pillar in its company strategy.

It is supporting its sustainability ambition through its Vision 25 commitment, under which it has pledged to ‘deliver green’ to 25 major towns and cities covering 25% of the UK by 2025. It is backed by a £111 million investment in EVs.

DPD operates across a network of more than 100 buildings, including depots, hubs and offices, and EcoLab will also look at how DPD can reduce emissions from these.

Initially, DPD wants to find innovations that can be retrofitted into their current depots and/or installed in future depots.

It is also looking to design and build depots in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.

The EcoLab initiative runs from June 12 to July 16.