Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has partnered with DHL Express for the pilot testing of the electric ID.Buzz Cargo van in South Africa.
Four ID.Buzz Cargo units have been placed at DHL Express service centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban for a period of six months.
The units will be deployed for specialised last-mile deliveries, as part of DHL’s local pilot programme to achieve its global zero-emissions logistics target.
For Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), the introduction of the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet is a step forward in the realisation of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy for the domestic market.
“The test fleet will assist Volkswagen to build awareness of its EVs in South Africa and to obtain learnings that are key for the brand’s EV strategy,” says the German carmaker.
To date, EV testing programmes in the local logistics space have been dominated by imported Chinese brands.
VWSA manufactures the Polo and Polo Vivo in the Eastern Cape.
“Our partnership with DHL Express on the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet marks the beginning of Volkswagen’s long-term plan to gradually introduce its EVs in the local market,” says VWSA sales and marketing director Thomas Milz.
“At the end of the pilot test, we hope to have gathered sufficient information and insights on the readiness of the local market for the introduction of a commercial EV, such as the ID.Buzz Cargo.
“We are very excited to partner with DHL [which] shares a similar commitment of zero emissions by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.”
“As the world’s leading logistics company, we have a responsibility to set an example in our industry and be a sustainability leader,” adds DHL Express South Africa MD Jed Michaletos.