DHL Express launches 100 propane autogas vans for pickup and delivery fleet

DHL Express, the world's leading international express services provider, announced the launch of 100 pickup and delivery vans fueled by clean, safe and economical propane autogas. The new Ford E-250 cargo vans, each equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel system, will be on the road by late August 2012 and will support DHL Express pickup and delivery service within California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas.

"Customers in the U.S. and worldwide are increasingly demanding greener logistics and sustainable business procedures," said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S. "Initiatives like our all 'green' fleet in Manhattan and this propane autogas fleet not only lower our DHL carbon footprint, but are a smart, clean and cost-effective choice for our business."

The new alternative fuel vehicles join other propane vehicles already operating for DHL Express in Ohio, Tennessee and Louisiana. They all complement Deutsche Post DHL's GoGreen program and its target to improve the company's worldwide carbon efficiency 30 percent by 2020, using 2007 levels as a baseline. Through the use of Propane autogas, each alternative fuel vehicle saves over 22,587 pounds of CO₂ emissions each year. Propane autogas is a low carbon fuel that reduces greenhouse gases by up to 25 percent, carbon monoxide by up to 60 percent, nitrogen oxide by 20 percent and virtually eliminates particulate matter when compared to conventional fuels. In addition, non-toxic propane does not harm soil or groundwater.

DHL Express plans to use existing public refueling infrastructure in addition to adding refueling capability at its service center facilities. The infrastructure for propane autogas is less expensive than any other alternative fuel, and with thousands of stations across the nation, propane autogas already has the largest public refueling infrastructure of all alternative transportation fuel options.

"At ROUSH CleanTech, we are committed to new technologies that help businesses meet economic and sustainability goals using safe and domestically produced energy sources," said Joe Thompson, president of ROUSH CleanTech. "DHL is internationally known for its green initiatives, and we're thrilled to partner with them to deliver an alternative fuel solution that lowers operating costs and emissions without compromising vehicle performance." ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas powered Ford vehicles offer the same factory performance characteristics, warranty coverage and serviceability as gasoline fueled vehicles without loss of horsepower, torque or towing.

The DHL fleet worldwide including its corporate brands under Deutsche Post DHL consists of over 4,000 non-conventional vehicles either powered by alternative fuels or modified for improved fuel-efficiency – including an all "Green" fleet in Manhattan with 50 hybrid vans and 30 American-made, battery-powered electric trucks.

DHL Express continues to look at innovative ways to reduce its resource use and carbon footprint, while responding to the needs of customers who are looking for environmentally responsible shipping options. For example, DHL offers a GOGREEN carbon-neutral international shipping option for customers in over 50 countries including the U.S.