27-02-2018
In Hamburg DPD Germany is testing two pre-series VW models for the purpose of ensuring emission-free local parcel deliveries. Until the end of the year DPD will be operating two fully-electric VW e-Crafter vehicles in the city centre and in the St. Pauli and Sternschanze districts. With the e-Crafter DPD is testing alternative delivery methods in the city centre, and will subsequently provide VW with feedback on its experience with the vehicle in daily operations.
"In inner-city areas DPD is constantly testing new drive systems and delivery methods aimed at providing local parcel deliveries which are free from emissions", explains Gerd Seber, Group Manager Sustainability & Innovation at DPD Deutschland. "We're delighted that in the VW e-Crafter we can test a model from our preferred vehicle class. In view of the continuing discussion of access restrictions and driving bans in inner-city areas, suitable series-produced vehicles of this size are becoming more important than ever."
With its electric drive and maximum range of up to 160 km the VW e-Crafter is especially suited to parcel delivery operations in the inner city, which consist predominantly of short distances and a large number of stops. The lithium-ion battery of the transporter is integrated completely in the floor of the vehicle, so that the Crafter's load capacity of 10.7 m³ can be used to the full. Depending on the goods which are carried, the maximum load varies between 1.0 and 1.75 tonnes. As a result the vehicle meets all the requirements for implementing delivery tours in the inner city with the same level of productivity as conventional vehicles. This means that a number of the delivery tours made by DPD in Hamburg – which in the past have been carried out with vehicles featuring a conventional drive system – can be switched entirely to the VW e-Crafter. The batteries of the e-Crafter are charged at AC wall boxes with an output of 7.2 kW, which are installed at the DPD depot in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg. Further charging during delivery operations is not necessary on the selected tours.
DPD hopes that the test of these vehicles will provide valuable information about the special features of using fully-electric vehicles in daily operations as part of a delivery fleet, and about the way in which the charging process can be integrated with maximum efficiency into parcel sorting and handling processes. DPD is one of a number of major customers from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Sweden which are testing the VW e-Crafter in everyday operations.
Source: DPD Germany