Spring 2007

DHL Exel Supply Chain is the latest logistics contractor to put an electric delivery vehicle into service - and it has gone one better than predecessors by opting for a 9-tonne gross vehicle weight.

DHL says this makes it the world's largest high-performance electric vehicle.

The vehicle is in fact part of the same Newton range from Smith Electric Vehicles as those in service with TNT, CEVA Logistics and Marks & Spencer, and like these it has a body with lightweight panels by Omnia. In this case the body was built by Cartwright, and includes a range of aerodynamic add-on features.

DHL says the vehicle will be ideally suited consolidation centre operations designed to help reduce road congestion on multiple short-distance routes.