DPD operating fully-electric pre-series VW vehicles in Hamburg
DPD Germany has announced that it is testing two fully-electric pre-series VW e-Crafter vehicles in Hamburg.
The company will be using the e-Crafters to deliver parcels in the city centre and in the St. Pauli and Sternschanze districts until the end of the year.
As part of the testing process, DPD will provide VW with feedback on its experience with the vehicle in daily operations.
“In inner-city areas DPD is constantly testing new drive systems and delivery methods aimed at providing local parcel deliveries which are free from emissions,” said Gerd Seber, Group Manager Sustainability & Innovation at DPD Deutschland.
“We’re delighted that in the VW e-Crafter we can test a model from our preferred vehicle class. In view of the continuing discussion of access restrictions and driving bans in inner-city areas, suitable series-produced vehicles of this size are becoming more important than ever.”
The VW e-Crafter has a maximum range of up to 160 km. The lithium-ion battery of the transporter is integrated completely in the floor of the vehicle, so that the Crafter’s load capacity of 10.7 m³ can be used to the full. Depending on the goods which are carried, the maximum load varies between 1.0 and 1.75 tonnes. The batteries of the e-Crafter are charged at AC wall boxes with an output of 7.2 kW, which are installed at the DPD depot in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg.