DPDgroup to Introduce Low-Emission Delivery in 225 Cities Across Europe by 2025

DPDgroup aims to implement low-emission delivery in 225 European cities by 2025. DPD Germany is locally implementing this in 23 city centers across Germany. The group is investing 200 million euros for cleaner city centers. The use of 7,000 vehicles with alternative drives will reduce CO2 emissions by 89% and pollutant emissions by 80% in the participating cities.

(Paris/Aschaffenburg) The international DPDgroup will introduce low-emission parcel delivery in 225 of the largest European cities by 2025. Background: Urban freight transport is responsible for about 30% of all CO₂ emissions and 50% of all particulate emissions in cities. Air pollution, primarily attributed to road traffic, is suspected of shortening the lives of people in cities with over 100,000 inhabitants by 15 months, according to a report by the European Environment Agency from 2018. For these reasons, DPDgroup has launched a new initiative for the largest cities in Europe.

Green Delivery Strategy

At the heart of this Green Delivery Strategy is a delivery model that DPDgroup has successfully tested in many European cities for years. Based on these experiences, DPDgroup is now comprehensively transforming urban delivery – with micro-depots and urban depots, as well as alternative delivery methods and locally emission-free drives. In many cities, such as Hamburg, London, Warsaw, and Dublin, corresponding initiatives have already been implemented in operational business. Since the end of 2019, DPDgroup has also been delivering in the entire Paris metropolitan area with low-emission shipping solutions. The new program represents a massive expansion of these activities across Europe and aims to gradually extend to over 260 million parcels, accounting for 17% of DPDgroup’s total parcel volume.

Responsibility Towards the Planet

“We are aware of our responsibility towards the planet and people. Therefore, we strive to become the most sustainable parcel service provider in Europe,” explains Boris Winkelmann, CEO of the international DPDgroup. “DPDgroup contributes to global climate change – hence we want to play an important role in finding solutions. With this goal in mind, we have decided to act pragmatically and reduce our emissions in the European cities with the highest populations.” Eric Malitzke, CEO of DPD Germany, adds: “In Germany, DPD has already tested and implemented many alternative delivery concepts. As a result, we have a very accurate picture of how and where locally emission-free delivery really works in practice. Now is the right time to scale existing approaches and massively expand environmentally friendly parcel delivery.” In Germany, DPD is gradually implementing low-emission delivery in 23 city centers: Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Cologne, Dortmund, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Hamm, Hanover, Kiel, Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Oberhausen, Stuttgart, Wiesbaden, and Wuppertal.

89% Less CO₂, 80% Less Pollutants

By 2025, DPDgroup will radically reduce its CO₂ footprint on the last mile in the respective cities. Compared to 2020, CO₂ emissions are to be reduced by 89%, and the release of pollutants such as fine dust, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides by 80%. “Our long-term goal is to further expand this first ambitious plan. Within the next 20 years, we want to operate completely CO₂-free on the last mile,” Winkelmann continues.

7,000 New Alternative-Fueled Vehicles and 80 New City Depots

To achieve the goal of 225 “green” cities, DPDgroup is relying on 7,000 new, alternatively fueled vehicles, 3,600 charging points, and 80 new urban depots. These initiatives represent a total investment of 200 million euros by 2025. Regarding the fleet, DPDgroup is focusing on a range of different vehicles adapted to street sizes, delivery needs, and potential access restrictions. Accordingly, electric delivery vehicles (such as Volkswagen eCrafter, Mercedes E-Sprinter, or Fuso eCanter), smaller e-vehicles (such as Tripl or Paxter), and natural gas vehicles will be stationed. The fleet will also be supplemented by cargo bikes, hand carts, and delivery options on foot. The establishment of 80 new micro-depots and urban depots will also help optimize delivery processes and ensure closer customer proximity. The rollout of urban depots will primarily take place in major cities such as Berlin, Basel, Barcelona, Budapest, Munich, Marseille, Prague, and Warsaw. They provide an optimal complement to the existing network of 130 urban depots in cities such as Dublin, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rotterdam.

Long-Term Commitment to Sustainable Delivery

Since 2012, DPDgroup has made responsible and sustainable parcel delivery a central element of its corporate identity. Based on the Corporate Social Responsibility Program DrivingChange^TM, DPDgroup has initiated various initiatives to ensure fully climate-neutral parcel shipping in the interest of its stakeholders. “An active commitment to sustainable delivery has been a clear goal of DPDgroup for years. We continuously reduce our CO₂ footprint with green delivery solutions. By 2025, 225 European cities will benefit even more than before. Our goal is to be a preferred partner for customers and urban representatives, supporting them in their own pursuit of greater sustainability. Only together can we make our planet a better place, as we all live in the same place,” emphasizes Winkelmann. Photo: © DPD www.dpd.de