DPD UK appoints Rolec to install charging network
Rolec EV has been contracted by DPD UK to provide a smart EV charging network at 60 of its sites in Great Britain. DPD plans to grow their EV fleet to over 550 vehicles by 2021, so they will have to install over 600 charge points to accommodate this.
This does not mark the first investment in electrified vehicles for DPD UK, as the logistics company had previously procured 10 electric vans from Mercedes. Yet this is the first large-scale investment that shows off just how serious DPD is about setting up an EV fleet.
For the charging infrastructure in question, DPD has designated 60 distribution centres that will see the installation of more than 600 EV charging points by Rolec using the company’s management system. The EV GroupManager is a cloud-based back office system that works in conjunction with Rolec’s EV SecuriCharge charging units and an RFID keyfob for the driver.
Rolec has already been working with DPD and Mark Wilkes, DPD UK’s director of technical services underlined the partnership and commitment: “The initial rollout of charge points across our network has gone very smoothly and we are now looking to significantly increase EV charge point deployment across the UK over the next 12 months to coincide with the delivery of our new EV fleet.”
Also in Ireland, the local arm of logistics operator DPD will invest 3.2 million euros in electrifying its fleet of vehicles. DPD Ireland launched the so-called ElectriCity roll-out in Dublin and says it will spread to other urban locations across Ireland over the next three years – if EV supply allows.
Moreover, in the city centre of Hamburg in Germany, DPD is about to use electric vehicles only and only hopes for municipalities to be more forthcoming when it comes to the installation of micro depots. Also in Great Britain, “DPD’s aim is to be the most responsible city centre delivery company in the UK,” says Wilkes.
Additional reporting by Nora Manthey.
0 Comments