DPD to expand electric van fleet to over 4,000 vehicles
UK parcel delivery company DPD is set to take delivery of 341 new Mercedes-Benz eSprinters in September as part of its ongoing investment in more sustainable fleet solutions.
The new vans will be deployed within the M25 and across the UK and will take DPD UK’s EV fleet to over 4,000 in total.
The first vehicles will enter service in September, with all of the vans scheduled to be operational by the end of October, helping to deliver what is expected to be a record-breaking peak Christmas period for DPD.
The investment is part of DPD’s ongoing aim to be the UK’s leader in sustainable delivery. In 2025 DPD delivered over 85 million parcels on electric vehicles including a predominantly diesel-free final mile service within the North and South Circular in London. Other initiatives include DPD’s involvement in the high-speed, West Coast Main Line low carbon rail logistics trial with Go-Express.
Olly Craughan, Head of Sustainability DPD UK, commented, “Large panel vans are the workhorse of our final mile operation so the new eSprinters will give us the capability we need to support far more lower emission deliveries over a wider area. Our EV fleet currently operates in more than 7,300 postcodes across the UK, largely focused on inner city locations where we are able to increase the benefits of operating electric vehicles through a decrease in air pollution. The eSprinters can carry the same payload as the equivalent 3.5t Diesel while the new battery technology and improved range mean more of our depots can start deploying larger EVs further afield.
“We started this journey in 2018 with the UK’s first all-electric parcel delivery depot and the feedback from our EV drivers and our customers continues to be overwhelmingly positive. The advances in both the vehicle technology and the UK’s charging infrastructure have helped with the wider roll out and ensuring we stay on course to meet our carbon reduction target.”
As part of the deal, the new vans will be supported by Mercedes-Benz CompleteCare repair and maintenance support to maximise uptime and keep deliveries moving.
Iain Forsyth, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: “In a fast-moving business landscape, it’s becoming increasingly vital for businesses like DPD operating at scale, to need partnerships that ensure vans remain operational to meet customer demands. DPD deliver seven days a week, 52 weeks a year so it feels good to have their backs and really deliver for them.”
Details on all of DPD’s sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated website.
