Zero emissions transportation by Soeren Rau and Philipp Cirkel


Zero emissions transportation

Have you noticed how you receive your packages and mail by UPS or FedEx?

Normally, the UPS driver puts the gear in park, gets out of the van, rings at your door and gives you the parcels you ordered. This takes approximately 2-3 minutes. Within these 2-3 minutes, do you think that the driver turned off the engine?

What do you guess? Well, in 99% of the cases he doesn’t. Consequently, the engine runs and the air gets polluted with no point to it. And anyhow using the big delivery vans (most of the cases these vans are equipped with a diesel engine) is not environmental friendly at all. Furthermore, diesel is also a significant cost factor in regard to transportation.

But how can you avoid these environmental pollutions and reduce cost?

DHL and Ford just engaged in a collaborative partnership whereas DHL and Ford produce the new StreetScooter XL, which is based on the Ford Transit chassis and uses a modular battery system. According to both companies, each electro van could save five tons of CO2 emissions annually. Furthermore, there is a marked reduction in noise and environmental pollution as well as an independence from fossil fuel. Moreover, these vehicles rack up more mileage than passenger cars and due to the fact that the vans will operate on predictable routes, range anxiety will be less of an issue.

It also fits perfectly in the setting of a smart city because its battery enables the van to operate a range of between 80km and 200km. Currently, many large cities in Europe discuss the issue to enact a legislation that allows only electric vehicles within the city center. So logistic companies have to redefine their distribution network within urban areas. One possibility would be to install suburban hubs which are delivered by vehicles with a combustion engine and where the last mile delivery to the stores in the city center is made with smaller electric vehicles.

All in all, this collaboration and also its announcement is, regarding the current situation of German car makers as well as a possible ban of combustion engine vehicles, a smart move and increases a competitive advantage on both sides. Since an efficient use of electric vehicles is yet to mature, we will see what the future would hold.

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