Parcel delivery firm DPD has announced plans for a long-term trial of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 lowliner.

As part of the trial, the truck will be launched on a customer route to test its range, payload, and charging performance.

DPD’s 1,600-strong HGV fleet is predominantly fuelled by Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which can reduce engine emissions by 83 per cent compared to diesel.

As part of Geopost, DPD UK has a Net Zero target of 2040.

DPD UK has said that its UK operation is on track with the trajectory required to meet the group target, after delivering a 47.5 per cent reduction in overall emissions at the end of 2024 compared to the 2020 benchmark.

Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications & sustainability at DPDgroup UK said that the move marks its first-ever long-term trial of an eHGV within its fleet, specifically pulling the company's double-deck trailers.

"Our objective is to make this as realistic as possible, therefore the load and the route will be typical of our overnight operation," he added. "This will give us valuable insight into how we can maximise our current charging infrastructure within our transport department’s operation as well as how changing seasons from autumn through to spring affect the vehicle's performance."

The eActros 300 is equipped with three battery packs that have a total battery capacity of 336 kWh1, enabling a range of up to 220 km2 on a single battery charge.

A key element of the trial will be charging the eActros using DPD’s existing infrastructure of 50kW chargers - primarily used by delivery vans - during the day when there will be sufficient downtime for the truck to charge using this infrastructure.

Earlier this year, DPD partnered with Deus Robotics to create a tailored end-to-end robotic warehouse automation system.

At the time, it said that the move supported its Net Zero goals.

The new tool includes custom-built AI-powered software to operate the warehouse robots, a cross-platform web application, specially designed transportation cages, and ‘Rack Robots'.

The Rack Robots, which are equipped with obstacle-detecting technology, can increase productivity by up to five times and transport racks weighing up to 1,100 lbs.

---