PowerFlex installs over 400 chargers for DHL Express US
PowerFlex, an EDF Renewables affiliate, has completed the installation of 415 Level 2 chargers across nine US sites of DHL Express. PowerFlex is a Strategic Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Partner of the logistics company, so the cooperation is close.
For these EVSE projects, PowerFlex provided DHL with a full suite of services, including site assessments, turnkey design and installation, hardware and software solutions, and asset management and operations and maintenance services.
On selecting Level 2 over faster charging stations, PowerFlex recommended that DHL install L2 charging stations because these were typically more reliable, economically priced, and less power-intensive than Level 3 DC Fast Chargers. Another advantage of PowerFlex Level 2 chargers is the ability to increase the number of chargers onsite to enable future expansion or provide spare chargers as a backup if necessary, so PowerFlex. Notably, the charging stations were installed overhead to free vehicles’ path of travel, yet remain accessible for drivers to plug in at the end of the day, so PowerFlex.
Moreover, these L2 chargers are equipped with Adaptive Load Management (ALM), which balances the power usage across multiple chargers to minimize expensive spikes in energy demand. PowerFlex says DHL was able to install double the number of chargers compared to unmanaged charging with the same power limit and onsite utility infrastructure, thanks to ALM.
PowerFlex and DHL have worked together since 2020 after EDF Renewables North America acquired the start-up in 2019. At the time, PowerFlex had already patented its Adaptive Charging Network (ACN) technology. It is used in V2H charging systems powered by renewable energy in particular.
“At DHL Express, we are always looking for ways to make our operations more sustainable,” said Laurice Bancroft, SVP of Network Operations for DHL Express US. “We selected PowerFlex to complete our EV charging stations because of their deep industry experience that helped us find a creative solution to meet our EV fleet charging needs.”
“DHL is taking a thoughtful approach to adopt new ‘fueling’ for its business needs and exploring the possibilities offered by in-house EV charging,” said Raphael Declercq, CEO of PowerFlex. “We are proud to work with DHL,” he said, adding that the team understood the “critical importance of ensuring that last-mile delivery vans are fully charged to support on-time deliveries while meeting DHL’s fleet sustainability goals”.
DHL Group targets a global share of 60% of electric vehicles in logistics by 2030 and will operate more than 80,000 ZEVs within ten years. The company is also involved in several initiatives, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative and the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi).
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