German logistics company Hermes and Mercedes-BenzVans have agreed on a strategic partnership to electrify the courier service’s vehicle fleet.
Under this agreement, Hermes will use battery-electric vehicles in its normal operations in a pilot phase in Stuttgart and Hamburg, in Germany, in early 2018.
The focus will be on testing the economy, sustainability and practicality of emissions- free vans when used for last-mile deliveries.
By the end of 2020, HermesGermany says, it intends to deploy 1 500 Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter electric vans in urban areas across Germany.
“Electric drive is a key technology for urban transport, especially in commercial use. Last-mile deliveries must become more efficient and, in specific applications, emissions-free,” says Mercedes-BenzVans head Volker Mornhinweg.
“Last year, we announced that we will put a Mercedes-Benz electric van into series production again. Our first one was in 2011. We are proud that we can announce that Hermes will be our first customer, and with a significant number of vehicles at that.
This is a specific implementation of our plans for tailored industry solutions in cooperation with our customers. Hermes requires midsize and large vans with electric drive for its applications. We can meet both needs.”
“Electric mobility plays a key role as part of our long-term strategy for climate and environmental protection,” adds HermesGermany CEO Frank Rausch.
Hermes aims for emissions-free deliveries in the inner-city areas of all major German cities by 2025.