PLANTATION, FLA.—DHL was honored recently with a SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as an industry leader in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.
SmartWay recognized DHL Express U.S. for its initiatives and efforts that reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions within its operations. By the end of this year, DHL Express will have replaced more than 50 percent of its pick-up and delivery fleet with more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles—all part of a strategic, five-year fleet planning effort that best aligns vehicle demand against the most appropriate vehicle selection.
“Environmental protection and sustainability is fully integrated into our culture—from reducing the impact of our own operations on the environment to helping our customers do the same through GOGREEN carbon-neutral shipping options,” said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “We’re honored to have been selected as a leader in environmental performance as we continue to look for ways to improve our carbon efficiency.”
Vehicles Powered by LPG, Batteries
In 2012, DHL Express introduced pick-up and delivery vehicles which operate on 100 percent dedicated Liquefied Petroleum Gas or ‘LPG’ (also referred to as “propane autogas”). Through the use of LPG, each of these alternative fuel vehicles saves more than 22,587 pounds of CO2 emissions each year. More than 200 LPG vehicles are currently in use at DHL Express operations throughout Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas—with approximately 150 more vehicles to be added by year’s end. Since 2011, DHL Express has also been operating an all “green” fleet of commercial delivery vehicles in Manhattan consisting of 50 hybrid vans and 30 battery-powered electric trucks.
DHL Express is one of 55 companies to receive this distinction, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay’s 3,000-plus Partners. The Excellence Awardees were honored at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals annual conference held in Denver.
“EPA is pleased to recognize the 2013 SmartWay Excellence Award recipients,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator. “I commend DHL Express for its superior environmental performance and leadership in advancing freight sector efficiency. Their commitment is helping lead the freight industry to a more sustainable future.”
The investment by DHL Express in modern, environmentally-friendly vehicles—a combination of fuel efficient, LPG, hybrid, electric or aerodynamically modified vehicles—is an integral part of the DHL global GoGreen strategy, which has the goal of improving the company’s carbon efficiency worldwide by 30 percent by 2020, compared to its base levels from 2007. In 2012, Deutsche Post DHL helped initiate Green Freight Europe (GFE), an industry initiative designed to reduce road freight transport emissions throughout European countries.
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