DPD Netherlands trials Compressed Natural Gas vehicles

DPD Netherlands is piloting sustainable vans that run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology. The operator will use three Mercedes-Benz CNG vehicles – which run entirely on natural gas – in the Joure region.

In a bid to improve its environmental standards, DPD Netherlands has launched the project in collaboration with Holwerda Distributie en Transport.

“With this pilot, DPD is taking the next step in the development of sustainable driving,” the company said.

DPD Netherlands and Holwerda Distributie en Transport have worked together before, initiating a LVZ eco combi vehicle.

Holwerda Distributie en Transport is responsible for the DPD parcel delivery within the catchment area of Friesland operating from the depot in Joure.

Michael van Ooijen, CEO of DPD Netherlands, said: “County Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe see a future in ‘green’ driving and because of that Joure is the ideal location for the CNG pilot.

“DPD wants to contribute to the realisation of these counties’ ambition to have a hundred thousand vehicles running on sustainable fuels by 2015.”

The operator says that by using the CNG technology, it will be able to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 to 25%.

The distance the vans can cover is limited to 270 – 300 km per day, and therefore ideal for inner-city transport, DPD confirmed.

A company statement said: “DPD is constantly looking for new opportunities when it comes to creating a sustainable environment, both in terms of transport as in distribution sites.

“The new distribution centre of DPD in Veenendaal and Etten-Leur are nice examples of this. The offices in these centers are designed in such a manner that they are completely CO2-neutral.

“In addition, DPD has previously introduced the LVZ eco combi and the Mercedes-Benz Vital E-CELL. Both these vans and the CNG vans emphasize DPD’s focus on sustainable transport.”