FedEx has acquired 23 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans that will be used on its delivery operations in central London.
A total of 19 of the 3.5 tonne fully electric vehicles will operate from the FedEx Express station in Bermondsey, with four to be stationed at its Hornsey depot.
Earlier this year, 19 and 20 charging points were installed at its Bermondsey and Hornsey sites respectively.
Both are supplied with renewable energy and will charge the vehicles onsite overnight.
The new EVs will allow existing FedEx diesel vehicles that still have an operational lifespan to be redistributed in its fleet, and older vehicles retired from operations completely.
FedEx Express depots in Barking, Enfield, and Milton will be next to receive electric vehicles in 2024, with an expansion of charging infrastructure planned for a further three pick-up and delivery stations in and around London.
In March 2021, FedEx Express set a global target for 50% of all newly-procured parcel pickup and delivery vehicles to be electric by 2025.
Robert Peto, UK Vice President of Operations at FedEx Express, said: “Our employees and customers alike are excited to see the first of these vehicles out and about in London, making zero-tailpipe emissions parcel pickup and deliveries more commonplace for us as we gradually electrify our FedEx-owned pick-up and delivery fleet in Europe.”
David Perdomo Hollatz, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Vans Region Europe & Germany, added: “I am pleased that our battery-electric eSprinter vehicles are helping FedEx Express towards its own goals in the area of locally emissions-free pick-up and delivery.”
