DHL Express Philippines has announced the deployment of eight additional electric vehicles (EVs), bringing the share of EVs in its delivery fleet to 41%. Two more units are scheduled for rollout later in the first quarter of this year.

The expansion, according to Mindanao Daily News, forms part of the company’s annual fleet electrification program, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from last-mile delivery operations while maintaining service quality.

The newly deployed EVs will operate in Pasig, Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Muntinlupa, Manila, Pasay and Parañaque, as well as Cebu. These areas were identified as high-density delivery zones where electric mobility can be integrated into daily operations.

“Logistics that works for people and the planet is the standard we hold ourselves to,” said Nigel Lockett, Managing Director of DHL Express Philippines. “By expanding our electric vehicle fleet in the country’s most active delivery zones, we are supporting the reduction of emissions from last-mile operations in areas where our couriers, customers, and communities interact every day.”

DHL Group has set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The new electric delivery vehicles are designed for urban last-mile operations. Each unit has a cargo capacity of 5.1 cubic meters and is powered by a 307.2-volt Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. The vehicles can be fully recharged in about five hours utilizing a DC fast charger.

Designed for frequent stops and repeated routes, the EVs are suited for express logistics operations in these dense city environments.

Besides just avoiding carbon emissions, the vehicles also use lower fuel consumption and reduced maintenance requirements compared to a conventional unit. They are also much quieter which helps reduce noise pollution in busy urban areas.

The EVs are equipped with telematics integration- thus enabling real-time monitoring of battery performance, energy consumption, driving behavior, and route efficiency. All of these features support optimized route planning and proactive maintenance, the company said.

DHL Express Philippines described the deployment of these new vehicles as part of its ongoing continual evaluation of fleet performance and infrastructure readiness, noting that they intend to continue this trend of EV adoption.

As delivery demand grows in major urban centers, will more logistics operators accelerate the shift toward electric fleets for last-mile operations?

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