KUALA LUMPUR: DHL Express will have 61 electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia by 2023 as the company aims to improve its carbon footprint.
DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei managing director Julian Neo said the company was actively electrifying its fleet across the region to reach its target of electrifying 60 per cent of its fleet by 2030.
"The cost of transitioning our fleet to EVs is not too high from the cost incurred for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. There is only a small difference but we believe in the long run it would save us up to 48 per cent in terms of maintenance and petrol cost," he told reporters today.
The company has announced six electric vans in Malaysia for last-mile deliveries across Klang Valley which also marked the company as the first in the country to transition toward a commercial EV fleet.
The new vans will be deployed early next month, serving Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
Its additional 55 vans to be deployed by 2023 will enable the company to serve other states.
The fully-electric CAM EC35 has a cargo space of 4.8 m³ with a payload of more than one ton, similar to the ICE vans that are being replaced.
It requires eight hours to be fully charged for a travel distance up to 266 kilometres. With direct current (DC) fast charging (at up to 40 kilo watts),the time will be reduced to two and a half hours.
With the deployment of CAM EC35, DHL will see fuel cost savings a 33 per cent decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.
"Our aggressive undertaking with this conversion to EVs is fuelled by the growth in global trade that demands shipments to be delivered in the quickest, most efficient and most convenient method possible.
"As a leading international express service provider, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality and efficient services at the fastest possible transit times.
"At the same time we cannot overlook our environmental responsibility. The logistics industry generates an estimated 3.5 billion tonnes of CO2 emmissions annually," Neo said.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim said DHL's move was in line with the country's goal to reduce net carbon emission.
"However to date, we still have less than a thousand charging stations which shows that we are far behind schedule. We also received requests to build the charging stations in other states beyond just the cities to ensure EV users can move from one state to another without any worries.
"Therefore, the ministry is ramping up efforts to get relevant stakeholders involved so that we can increase the number of charging stations in the country," he said.
He added that as of July this year, Malaysia had increased significant EV penetration from only 0.3 per cent or 388 vehicles in 2021 to one per cent or 1,033 now.