How Boots & DHL's EV Fleet is Driving Sustainable Logistics
Boots Retail Thailand is working with DHL Supply Chain Thailand to transform how products are delivered across the country.
Together, they are deploying a fleet of 100% electric vehicles (EVs) to cut carbon emissions by 74 metric tonnes each year.
The new initiative directly supports Thailand’s goal to improve air quality and contributes to establishing a new standard for more sustainable retail and logistics in the region.
The new electric fleet will serve more than 250 stores, delivering health, beauty and medical products across urban areas.
It consists of compact, fast-charging vehicles designed to operate efficiently around the clock and reduce environmental impact on local communities.
It is part of a wider push to establish environmentally responsible retail distribution models in Thailand and beyond.
Mark Koprowski, Managing Director of Boots Retail Thailand, says: “We are proud to partner with DHL Supply Chain Thailand to introduce a fleet of full EVs to deliver our medicines, healthcare and beauty products from our warehouse to local Boots stores daily.”
He adds that the move supports Boots’ mission to embed sustainability into all parts of its business, stating: “We remain committed to reducing our carbon footprint by minimising emissions whilst ensuring the highest availability and quality of our products offered to our customers.”
Cutting emissions through last-mile logistics
The partnership will eliminate 74 metric tonnes of carbon emissions every year – the equivalent of 176 car trips from the south to the north of Thailand.
As last-mile delivery is one of the most emissions-intensive stages in a supply chain, the move to EVs provides an effective way to reduce environmental impact.
Growing scrutiny on business emissions and shifting customer expectations puts pressure on logistics and retail firms to proactively address their climate impact.
Against this context, the collaboration between Boots and DHL demonstrates how EV adoption can help organisations meet environmental regulations and stakeholder expectations, while continuing to deliver at scale.
Unlike petrol or diesel vans, EVs produce no tailpipe emissions and operate more quietly. This allows them to function through the night or during off-peak hours without adding to noise pollution or disturbing communities in urban areas.
Using EVs also positions sustainability as a competitive asset for businesses.
Running cleaner logistics networks enhances brand reputation, helps manage risk and meets investor expectations around ESG performance.
Strengthening supply chains with smarter vehicles
Three new EVs are being added to DHL’s existing fleet. These vehicles can travel up to 250km on a single charge and can recharge fully in just one hour, meaning they can make multiple deliveries per day with limited downtime.
Their smaller design makes it easier to navigate urban areas where traffic, road width and parking limitations can slow down conventional trucks.
Fewer moving parts means EVs tend to have lower maintenance needs and are less likely to experience unplanned breakdowns. This improves reliability for Boots' supply chain, making deliveries more consistent and routes easier to optimise.
Using the new vehicles also makes it possible to schedule deliveries during quieter traffic periods without disturbing residents, making logistics operations more flexible and responsive to evolving store needs.
DHL’s long-term vision for clean transport
This collaboration sits within a wider strategy by DHL Supply Chain to meet its environmental targets.
Globally, the company aims for 30% of its fleet to use sustainable fuels or be electric by 2026 and to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In Thailand, DHL launched a 45,000-square-metre warehouse powered entirely by renewable energy.
The company has also rolled out Euro 5 standard trucks, which produce fewer emissions than older diesel models.
Steve Walker, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Thailand Cluster, says: “As a trusted partner of Boots Thailand, we are proud to support their sustainability journey. At DHL Supply Chain, we are also driving tangible change – including our commitment to achieve 30% sustainable drives and fuels across our global fleet by the end of 2026, in line with our global Green Transport Policy.”
“Collaborating with like-minded partners like Boots Thailand, who share our vision for low emission supply chains, accelerates this progress. Together, we are turning our sustainability ambitions into tangible action, delivering emission-reduced solutions that benefit our businesses and reduce our environmental impact to the planet.”
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