Electric HGVs: How DPD & MAN are Reducing Delivery Emissions
Around the world, DPD delivers millions of parcels every day and billions each year.
The emissions of such a large, global operation are not small and the carbon footprint of each package adds to the Scope 3 emissions of other businesses.
DPD has partnered with MAN Truck & Bus to trial an electric HGV with the aim of introducing them later in 2025.
The company is running road trials with the MAN eTGX, an electric truck with a range of up to 800 kilometres and charging capacity of up to 750 kW.
After a full induction and driver training, the truck will be assigned to a DPD route for testing from the company’s Hinckley hub in England.
Tracey Perry, Sales Director of Truck, Bus & Coach at MAN Truck & Bus UK, says: "We’re proud to partner with DPD on this important journey towards electrification of their HGV fleet.
“These trials will provide invaluable insights for both companies as we work towards a greener future.
“As a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer with a growing portfolio of battery-powered solutions, MAN is committed to investing in cutting-edge, climate-neutral transport technologies and actively supporting our customers in decarbonising their operations.
"Achieving the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement requires bold action, and electric trucks like our eTGX are a critical part of that mission."
In 2023, transport was the largest greenhouse gas emitting sector in the UK, producing 26% of total emissions.
Of this, the majority of emissions came from road vehicles, 20% of which was specifically from Heavy Goods Vehicles.
Transforming this sector to electric could make a big difference in helping the UK to meet its net zero ambitions.
Double-decker trailers
Beyond these e-truck trials, MAN and DPD are collaborating to develop a configuration optimised for double-decker trailers.
The first tailored vehicle is expected to enter testing later in 2025.
DPD uses double-decker trailers to enhance its efficiency, maximising parcel capacity while reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability at DPDgroup UK, says: “Electric HGVs have the potential to become a viable solution in the future, and we now believe we can get the configuration we need to maintain our double decker trailer fleet, which has enabled us to reduce the overall number of HGVs we put on the road for many years.
“We are keen to help to develop the electric trucks that can work for us in the real world.”
About the MAN eTGX
The MAN eTGX features batteries specifically designed for the electric truck at its facilities in Nuremberg.
Depending on the use of the electric truck, battery capacities of up to 480 kWh can be chosen.
This provides ranges of around 500 kilometres without interim charging.
Empty battery packs can be largely recharged in around 45 minutes.
The MAN eTGX’s high-voltage battery pack fastening mechanism allows them to be removed quickly, minimising downtime.
DPD’s sustainability goals
DPD aims to reach net zero by 2040.
So far, it has cut its emissions by 47.5% against a 2020 baseline.
Nearly 40% of its fleet is now electric vehicles and it has completed more than 22 million electric deliveries.
This has saved more than 6,000 tonnes of CO₂.
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