TNT Express to expand electric fleet in London

Global integrator TNT Express is looking to double the size of its electric delivery fleet in London to cope with a planned new zero-emission zone in the UK capital. The Netherlands-based shipping firm will be using 15 specially-built electric delivery vehicles in London from this Spring.

The vehicles, which are expected to make more than 1,000 international deliveries into the UK capital each day, will be supplied by London-based green transport specialist Gnewt Cargo.

The roll-out follows a trial of six Gnewt Cargo vehicles over the past 18 months, and comes as part of TNT’s City Logistics initiative.

TNT Express said the vehicles would help it to contend with the Mayor of London’s intended “Ultra Low Emissions Zone”, which is to be established by 2020 requiring almost all vehicles operating in the zone during working hours to be zero- or low-emission.

The company said the vehicles will save 316kg of carbon emissions for every 1,000 litres of fuel used by conventional vehicles being replaced.

Alistair Cochrane, Managing Director of TNT Express UK & Ireland, said the London project was just one of many such schemes TNT Express is trialling in major cities across Europe.

He said: “As a large-scale provider of road delivery services we are acutely aware of our environmental responsibilities and are constantly seeking to develop new technologies and ways of working which will further reduce our carbon footprint.”

Gnewt Cargo

Gnewt Cargo launched in 2009 as a final mile delivery company in Central London, using small zero-emission pedal-power and electric-powered vehicles. The company had early support from the stationary supply retailer Office Depot.

The company uses French-built Aixam Mega electric vans, which can be charged overnight and have a load capacity of 445kg and a space of 3 cubic metres.

Matthew Linnecar, co-founder of Gnewt Cargo, said: “As a small business operating in a unique niche we are delighted to work with such an established and forward thinking organisation like TNT Express. Our aim is to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of the delivery industry in city centres and this partnership assists us in making great strides towards that goal.”

London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson, announced plans for the world-first Ultra Low Emission Zone last February. It will require all vehicles driving in the centre of the capital during working hours to be zero or low emission. The Mayor aims to have the scheme in place from 2020, giving businesses time to get the low-emissions technology in place.

The city already has a Low Emission Zone, which sets emission standards for commercial vehicles.