DHL Japan fuel-cell car on display at ECO CAR WORLD 2008
DHL and pilot user of the Daimler AG (DAG) “F-cell” fuel-cell vehicle, was proud to contribute to the display of this environmentally-friendly vehicle by Mercedes-Benz Japan Co., Ltd. (MBJ) at the ECO CAR WORLD 2008 IN KOBE, which took place at Kobe Meriken Park from 17 – 18 May 2008.
DHL has been using the model since July 2006 as part of its ‘Green Logistics’ environmental initiative in Japan.
The “F-cell” vehicle will also be displayed at the ECO CAR WORLD 2008 IN YOKOHAMA, which will take place at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse from 7 – 8 June 2008.
As part of DHL’s ‘Green Logistics’ initiative – launched in Japan in July 2006 – DHL Japan introduced the F-cell to its vehicle fleet.
The F-cell, the world’s first mass-produced fuel-cell car, is modeled on the Mercedes-Benz A Class and is powered by compressed hydrogen.
DHL has been testing the vehicle under actual working conditions by using it for the collection and delivery of documents in downtown Tokyo, especially in the bustling Otemachi district.
Data from the tests are collected by MBJ for use in systematic improvement and development of fuel-cell vehicles by DAG, the manufacturer.
DHL and its parent company Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), which operate a large fleet of aircraft and vehicles to provide logistics services in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, are advancing numerous environmental initiatives.
DPWN recently announced GoGreen, an environmental program under which it targets a 30% reduction in Group CO2 emissions by 2020.
This program makes DPWN the first major company in the logistics industry to set a quantifiable target for CO2 efficiency.
To achieve this target, DHL is pursuing improved operational efficiency by introducing fuel-efficient freighters and installing state-of-the-art equipment at logistics facilities, as well as through route optimization based on cargo volume and transit time predictions and other measures.
In Japan, DHL is working to reduce emissions through measures that include introducing more hybrid trucks to its fleet of collection and delivery service vehicles, especially in downtown Tokyo.
Meanwhile, DHL Exel Supply Chain – the contract logistics arm of DHL in Japan – is aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by facilitating partnerships between shippers and logistics suppliers through the Green Logistics Partnership Project.
Under this project, the company has employed consistent, concentrated point-to-point vehicle allocation controls to successfully reduce CO2 emissions.
Such efforts garnered the company a commendation from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in December 2007.
Moreover, in April 2008, DHL Global Forwarding – the air and ocean freight forwarding arm of DHL – received ISO 14001:2004 certification, the international standard for environmental management, for its entire Asia Pacific operation.
These are only a few examples of the various group-wide initiatives being taken by DHL as it steadily expands its use of alternative fuels and promotes environmentally efficient transport methods in all aspects of its ground, sea and air transport operations.
