Deutsche Post DHL Group announces plans to produce 10,000 to 20,000 of its in-house-developed StreetScooter electric delivery vans this year. The vehicles will not only be used for DHL Group's own operations, but also supplied to third parties. To ramp up production of the StreetScooter, Deutsche Post DHL Group is opening a new production site in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia.
The StreetScooter is an electric van developed by the eponymous StreetScooter. This German company is originally a spin-off from RWTH Aachen and a consortium of about 80 industrial companies operating in both the automotive industry and related sectors. The company was founded in 2010 and was acquired by Deutsche Post DHL in 2014. The first prototypes of the StreetScooter were presented in 2012, after which the first examples of the electric delivery van went into service in 2013.
Work and Work L
Interestingly, Deutsche Post DHL Group is not only producing the StreetScooter for its own use, but will also sell it to third parties. With this, the company is targeting municipalities, strategic partners and owners of large fleets, among others. The electric van is available in two models: the Work and the Work L. The Work has a cargo space of about 4 m3 and a maximum payload of 650 kg. The electric van is equipped with an electric motor that delivers a peak power of 48 kW. This allows the vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h and has a range of 80 kilometres. The Work L features an 8m3 cargo area and can carry up to 1,000 kg. In addition, the Work L is equipped with a more powerful engine. This allows the Work L to cover a distance of up to 100 kilometres.
The StreetScooter Work and Work L are available in different versions. For example, the Work Pro version is equipped with a media system and a keyless-entry system, which allows the vehicle to be unlocked without having to take the key out of the jacket pocket. However, the electric van is also available in a basic version: the Work Pure. This version is available from €32,000.
Work S and Work M
In addition, Deutsche Post DHL Group will supply e-bike (Work S) and e-trike (Work M) variants of the StreetScooter. The Work S features a 250 W electric motor and has a maximum speed of 25 km/h. Using the Work S, up to 60 kg of cargo can be carried. The e-bike has a range of 35 kilometres.
The Work M is equipped with two 125 W electric motors and can carry up to 90 kg. The e-trike has a maximum range of 30 kilometres. Both the Work S and Work M, like the Work and Work L, are supplied by Deutsche Post DHL Group to third parties. All models of the StreetScooter are fully electric. Deutsche Post DHL Group will also provide charging infrastructure that can be used to charge the StreetScooters.
5,000 Streetscooters for its own use
Some of the StreetScooters produced will be put into use by Deutsche Post DHL Group itself. The company is currently deploying 2,500 of the electric vans and aims to double this number before the end of this year. The vehicles will be used to deliver both letter and parcel mail. The electric vehicles will be used by Deutsche Post DHL Group not only in Germany, but also in the rest of Europe.
More information on the StreetScooters is available here.
By: Wouter Hoeffnagel
