DHL Express adopts electric vans for last-mile deliveries in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: In an effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner mobility solutions, the world’s leading international express service provider DHL has adopted electric vans for last-mile deliveries in Malaysia. DHL is the first logistics provider in the country to embrace EVs thus playing a pioneering role in electrifying the delivery fleet.

The company is set to deploy six electric vans in early October, serving the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor areas. This tally will be expanded to 61 by the end of 2023 to serve other states across the nation. 

While commenting on the move to adopt electric vehicles, Executive Vice President, Network Operations and Aviation, DHL Express Asia Pacific Sean Wall said, "Logistics operations efficiency, innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of our agenda.”

"While improving our service capabilities to exceed rapidly evolving customer demands, we remain aware of  our responsibility to the environment and strive towards clean operations. Electric delivery vans  represent the future of our global green network and drive our climate-neutral goals." 

The key highlights of the DHL electric delivery van are -

• The delivery van is the CAM EC35 panel van, introduced by Sendok Group in Malaysia back in January
• It measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,680 mm in width, 1,985 mm in height and spans a 3,050 mm long wheelbase with a cargo space of 4.8 m³ that can handle a payload of more than one ton
• The EV comes equipped with an electric motor churning out 80 hp of maximum power and 200 Nm of peak torque
• The motor is juiced by a 38.7-kWh battery pack offering a range of 266 km (on the WLTP cycle)
• As for charging, the electric van takes eight hours for 100% charge via the 6.6 kW onboard charger. However, this time can be reduced to 2.5 hours with direct current fast charging
• Parts of the van’s safety kit are anti-braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution, which enhance couriers' safety and driving experience  

Julian Neo, Managing Director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei, said, “At DHL Express, our investments always aim to improve our carbon footprint. Advancements in electric vehicle technology play a crucial role and contribute significantly to our mission of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

With the deployment of these electric vans, the company aims to achieve fuel cost savings of 48% and decrease annual CO2 emissions by 33%.

The initiative is a part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group’s global target to electrify 60% of its last-mile delivery vehicles by 2030. DHL Express aims to deploy more than 1,000 EVs in the Asia Pacific by 2024. 

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