streetscooter-ford

Deutsche Post DHL is joining forces with Ford to build electric vans for urban deliveries.

DHL subsidiary StreetScooter already builds its own small vans, but the new partnership with Ford will allow the business to up the size of its vehicles.

StreetScooter's current models are the Work and the Work L. The new vehicle will be called the Work XL.

Built on a Ford Transit chassis, the Work XL (pictured) will have a body fitted to Deutsche Post and DHL Paket specifications.

Deutsche Post DHL was unable to confirm where the vehicles will operate, but confirmed production was due to begin next month at StreetScooter's facility in Aachen, Germany.

The company told Freight in the City that the Work XL will work in "larger cities" and it is "also planning to use our StreetScooter cars in other European countries".

The StreetScooter XL will weigh 4,250kg, compared to its predecessor's 2,650kg.

The range of the current models is 80km, but Deutsche Post DHL said the range of the XL would depend on the battery, which will vary from 33 to 96 kWh.

It added there were no plans to build vehicles that were larger still.

Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president Europe, Middle East and Africa at the Ford Motor Company, said: "E-Mobility and innovative traffic solutions for urban areas are key focuses for us as we transform our business to meet future challenges."

Jürgen Gerdes, member of the executive board of the Deutsche Post AG, added: "I consider this partnership another important boost for electro-mobility in Germany.

"This step emphasises that Deutsche Post is an innovation leader. It will relieve cities and increase the people's quality of life. We will continue working on completely carbon neutral logistics."

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