TNT China launches first electric vehicles

Recently, two TNT China drivers set-off from the Shanghai Pudong depot for a 70-kilometre trip to pick-up and deliver customer goods. But this trip was unlike any other: their vehicles consumed no fuel, released zero CO₂ emissions, accelerated efficiently and made little noise.

The drivers were the first to operate the latest additions to the TNT China delivery fleet:
two zero-emission “pure electric” vehicles.

The EVs are powered by environmentally friendly lithium batteries which, when fully charged, allow them to operate for over 120 kilometres. While fully charging typically requires two-and-a-half hours, fast charging mode allows the batteries to be charged in less than an hour.

“The vehicle performed well during the daily delivery rounds and we received positive comments from customers about this innovative vehicle,” said TNT China driver Zi Wang.

TNT launched the vehicles together with Dong Feng Motor Co., one of China’s leading auto manufacturers. The vehicles feature a high-tech monitoring system that records power consumption data during operation, and their E-MARK certification allows them to be classified as “pure electric” and “zero emission”.

The transport sector as a whole accounts for about 18 percent of global CO₂ emission output. TNT’s environmental commitment, Planet Me, aims to dramatically improve the carbon efficiency of its global operations. The company’s objective is to improve its CO₂ efficiency by 45% in 2020, compared to 2007 levels.

TNT already operates 51 electric delivery trucks in its UK operations, and has other pilots underway in the Netherlands, Australia and Germany. It is also testing vehicles on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and biogas. Over the coming three years, TNT plans to purchase 600 electric vehicles as part of a 3,000-vehicle commitment agreed with a consortium of Dutch companies.