DPD begins e-HGV road testing with MAN as company makes progress towards meeting Net Zero targets

Parcel delivery company DPD is conducting electric HGV road trials with MAN, with the aim of introducing heavy duty electric trucks later this year. 

DPD is running road trials with the MAN eTGX which has a range of up to 800 kms and a charging capacity of up to 750 kW. The truck will be based at its Hinckley hub 4 where, following a full induction and driver training, it will be assigned to a DPD route for operational testing, towing a standard trailer. 

In 2023, DPD converted the majority of its 1,600 HGVs to HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil). 95% of DPD's HGV fleet is now running on HVO, reducing emissions by 83% compared to diesel. The transition to electric trucks presents an additional challenge, as DPD has operated double decker trailers for many years, which reduce the number of vehicles on the road by increasing parcel capacity and reducing the accompanying emissions.

DPD is working with MAN to develop a configuration capable of pulling double decker trailers and the first vehicle with that spec will be on test with DPD later this year.

As part of Geopost, DPD UK has a Net Zero target of 2040, which is fully validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).  DPD UK has confirmed that the UK operation is on track with the trajectory required to meet the group target, after delivering a 47.5% reduction in overall emissions at the end of 2024, compared to the 2020 benchmark.    

Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability, DPDgroup UK, comments: "With over a third of our delivery vans now electric and the vast majority of our transport fleet running on HVO, we have made very real progress towards meeting our Net Zero targets."

"Electric HGVs have the potential to become a viable solution in the future, and we now believe we can get the configuration we need to maintain our double decker trailer fleet, which has enabled us to reduce the overall number of HGVs we put on the road for many years.”

“HVO is likely to remain the most effective solution in the medium term, delivering a huge emissions reduction. It remains key to our strategy for reaching our near-term target in 2030, but we are keen to work with manufacturers to help develop the electric trucks that can work for us in the real world."

Stefan Thyssen, Managing Director at MAN Truck & Bus UK, says: "We are thrilled to have partnered with DPD on their electric HGV road trials. As a manufacturer, we are committed to supporting our customers in decarbonizing their road transport operations. These trials with our all-electric eTGX tractor not only demonstrate the real-world viability of electric trucks in a high demand logistics environment but also highlight the significant emissions reductions and sustainability benefits they bring to the industry."

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in April, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.