DPD has hit its electric vehicle (EV) target five months early, with 10% of its UK van fleet fully electric, some 700 vehicles.

At the start of 2020, DPD had just over 130 EVs on the road and, so far this year, the courier firm has delivered close to five million ‘emissions-free parcels’, saving more than two million kilograms of CO2.

The firm estimates that, on its current zero emissions trajectory, it will deliver well over 10 million parcels on its clean, green fleet by the end of 2020.

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO said: “Despite everything that is going on, we’ve been really focused on getting EVs on the road and delivering for us this year.

“Yes, you need to be trialling new technology and looking at future concepts, but you have to start making a difference now, and that’s what we are doing.”

He explained: “We originally targeted 500 EVs this year, but with over 700, we have absolutely smashed it.

“The feedback from the depots, our drivers and our customers has been fantastic and that has just encouraged us to go faster.

“We know retail customers want this and the reaction on the doorstep is great when recipients see that their parcel has been delivered emission-free too. So, that is a great base for us to build on.”

DPD is also working with a series of new suppliers to help develop the next generation of EVs. Following the launch of the EAV P1 electric assist cargo bike last year, DPD is extending its partnership with Oxford-based manufacturer EAV to create another new vehicle.

DPD is also involved in trials with LEVC for the new VN5 and the Vauxhall e-Vivaro.

McDonald said: “There are still huge frustrations. We are investing and expanding our operation because of Covid-19 and the enormous demand from online retailers.

“Parcel volumes are 50% up year on year and we are doing an amazing job. But we would like even more of our new vehicles to be green EVs – we just can’t get our hands on enough of them at the moment.

“We are calling on the Government, and the vehicle manufacturers to do everything they can to encourage the development of more EVs, at affordable prices, so that progressive companies, like us, can become even greener, even quicker.”

Commercial fleet operators are facing an alternative fuel dilemma, read the latest digital edition of Fleet News to find out more.