PARCEL delivery firm DPD Ireland has announced plans to add 50 electric vehicles to its van delivery fleet over the next four years.
The company said 16 electric have already been deployed on the roads of Co Down and Antrim, with electric vehicle charging points installed in five depots across Northern Ireland.
DPD said it plans to deploy another 10 new electric vehicles this year, taking its fleet to 26 by the end of 2021.
That will save 100,000 litres of diesel in 2021 alone, according to the firm.
Ten more electric vans will be added each year for the next four years,
The company’s sustainability programme manager James Atkinson said it’s part of a decarbonisation strategy, that also includes route optimisation and the addition of compressed natural gas (CNG) powered trucks to the fleet.
DPD Ireland said it wants to electrify 250 short and mid-range routes across its all-island network.
“We are on a journey of fleet electrification to reduce CO2 per parcel by 30 per cent by 2025 and be a leader in the world of sustainable eCommerce,” said Mr Atikinson.
He said the commitment in Northern Ireland is part of DPD Ireland’s parent DPDGroup’s plans to deploy 7,700 new low emission vehicles in 225 of the largest European cities by 2025.
Mr Atkinson said the company has also set a target of sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy for all its Irish depots by 2023.
