Electrifying Mercedes-Benz urban delivery van fleet

Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with Hermes, Germany’s largest post-independent logistics service provider to electrify its urban delivery van fleet.

The companies are to start using battery-electric vehicles in the logistics provider’s operations in a pilot phase in Stuttgart and Hamburg in early 2018.

The focus will be on the economy, sustainability and practicality of emission-free delivery vans when used for the last mile.

By the end of 2020, Hermes Germany intends to deploy more than 1500 Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter electric vans in urban areas across Germany.

Last year, we announced that we would put a Mercedes-Benz electric van into series production again; our first one was in 2011,” says Mercedes-Benz Head of vans Volker Mornhinweg.

“Hermes requires mid-size and large vans with electric drive for its applications. We can meet both needs with reliable and safe vehicles that set high standards of driver ergonomics”, says Mornhinweg.

“Electric mobility plays a key role as part of our long-term strategy for climate and environmental protection. An important key aspect for the future is the gradual electrification of our fleet in urban areas. At the same time, we are continuing with the full changeover to low-emission Euro 6 vehicles”, says Hermes Germany chief executive officer Frank Rausch.

The partners have set themselves the goal of improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability in parcel deliveries. Partially triggering the goal is the rapid growth of online retailing and the resulting challenges for courier-express-parcel (CEP) companies.

By the year 2025, Hermes plans to carry out deliveries in the inner-city areas of all the main German cities entirely free of emissions.

Only electricity from 100% regenerative energy sources will be used to charge the electric vehicles’ batteries.

One focus is on the technical feasibility and economic efficiency of battery-electric vehicles in the CEP industry.

New concepts are developing for the integration of battery-electric vans – including the required charging infrastructure – into existing operational processes.

Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand Diane Tarr should there be a demand for electric vans from both markets the company will certainly look at the opportunities.

“Now that both Sprinter and Vito will be available, which only strengthens the potential and our intention to work together with our customers to introduce tailored industry solutions. We believe commercial vehicles will be another driving force for electric vehicle adoption in Australia and New Zealand,” says Tarr.

“It has the potential to create more demand and with that comes more electric vehicle infrastructure and awareness of the benefits this technology provides,” she says.

“We already have preliminary interest from some major fleet customers who are looking to improve efficiency and sustainability in their operations. It will be interesting to watch how this evolves in our markets,” she says.