DPD UK increases last-mile deliveries with electric vans but regulatory barriers need to be removed to help smaller operators go green

October 21, 2024

2 min read

Parcel company DPD UK has reported that it is on target to deliver a 46% reduction in emissions by the end of 2024, from the 2020 baseline, with a third of its final mile van fleet now electric and 95% of its transport fleet running on HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil).

The company is targeting a 46% reduction in emissions by year end with a third of its final-mile fleet now electric. An additional 350 EVs (4.25t Ford eTransits) are being deployed over the next few months which will take its EV fleet close to 4,000 strong.

The announcement comes as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations for July were down to 1,415 units (-14.6%).

Since January 2024, BEVs have accounted for 5.1% of all new vans and SMMT predicts that BEV share of LCV registrations under 3.5 tonnes will be 6.6% by the end of the year.

Logistics UK, alongside partners of the Zero Emission Van Plan Campaign, has been calling on government to ensure van fleet operators have the confidence to invest in zero emission vehicles and Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director – Policy at Logistics UK said, “While it’s fantastic news that large operators are making significant progress greening their fleets, more needs to be done to help smaller operators.

“A simple legislative change requiring no infrastructure would be to align 4.25 tonne electric vans with 3.5 tonne diesel vans. The batteries in electric vans make them heavier than the equivalent sized diesel vans, meaning operators that make the switch are exposed to costly licensing, more expensive MOTs and drivers’ hours rules designed for HGVs.

“Aligning electric and diesel vans would help remove the regulatory barriers that are currently limiting the uptake of electric commercial vehicles.”