DHL Express UK orders 400 vehicles using telematics to cut emissions

DHL Express is taking on more than 400 delivery vans in the UK, which are being fitted with fuel-saving telematics systems. The deal extends a ten-year relationship with contract hire firm Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services into providing light commercial vehicles.

The company, part of Hitachi Capital (UK) plc, said DHL was introducing telematics technology to help improve driver behaviour, reduce carbon emissions and also achieve a better fuel consumption in the vehicles.

Richard Crook, DHL Express UK and Ireland director of fleet, said: “A key factor for DHL Express was the inclusion of telematics, which we see as a key enabler to achieving our long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.

“Our fleet travels over 30m miles a year, so safety is also a top priority for our employees. Through the use of telematics, we can not only improve our carbon efficiency but also encourage safer driving behaviours,” added Crook.

Hitachi Capital is responsible for funding and fitting out the vehicles with telematics technology, beginning the process back in November, with expectations of completing the installation in February.

The Newbury-based company told Post&Parcel that telematics technology had become less popular among large companies until recently, as they had felt that the return on investing in systems to monitor drivers and vehicles wasn’t justified.

However, in the last few years a spending freeze in fleet management has seen the technology making something of a comeback.

Jon Lawes, divisional managing director at hitachi Commercial Vehicle Services, said the DHL deal was “significant” for his company. He said of the telematics systems: “The technology is making a noticeable return in the fleet industry, and this new contract demonstrates the requirements for telematics perfectly.”