Ford Pro, the American automaker’s commercial fleet unit, announced on December 5 that it had inked a new Memorandum of Understanding with Deutsche Post DHL Group. InsideEVs reports that the strategic partnership aims to hasten the global electrification of last-mile delivery vans, starting with supplying DHL with more than 2,000 E-Transit EVs by the end of 2023.
“Ford Pro and Deutsche Post DHL Group share the vision of greater sustainability and a commitment to electrified solutions, and this agreement is a major step towards millions of deliveries being completed by electrified vehicles around the world. E-Transit is the top-selling commercial EV in North America and since June is also the best-seller in its segment in Europe, meaning the all-electric 2-tonne van is already making big strides to support this ambition.”
Europe’s Ford Pro General Maneger Hans Schep
How would the agreement benefit the partners?
Ford E-Transit EVs will be installed with Ford Pro software, which includes E-Telematics. This innovative technology is expected to significantly improve the fleet’s logistical efficiency, uptime, service, and productivity.
The leading German logistics firm will invest €7 billion ($7.4 billion) this decade to achieve its target of net-zero emissions logistics. Specifically, it aims to have 60% of its fleet to be electric by 2030, which Ford’s electric vans will undoubtedly boost.
With the addition of Ford’s E-Transit EVs, DHL’s fleet will now total about 27,000 electric vans. Notably, the automaker has already delivered the first batch of E-Transit vans to DHL.
On the other hand, Ford aims to achieve carbon neutrality at all of its plants and have emission-free vehicle sales by 2035. DHL’s enormous orders for Ford’s EV will positively affect the automaker’s targets.
Additionally, the new collaboration would grant DHL immediate access to test Ford’s new EVs. Most especially, it will enable the two companies to develop prospective technologies and charging solutions jointly.
Given that both companies stand to gain from this partnership, it is undoubtedly strategic. Beyond accomplishing mutual goals, it will drive the global rollout of electric vans and advance green logistics.
