In the latest announcement, the firm says it has signed a letter of intent for a possible future global framework agreement with Renault. The intended global agreement shall contain the options for a future purchase of Renault Kangoo Z.E., which is currently used to transport DHL Express shipments at the moment in France as well as in Aruba, Belgium, Denmark and Germany. Overall DHL currently uses 304 electric vehicles including Kangoo Z.E., Renault ZOE as well as the Renault Twizy.

Uwe Hochgeschwurtz, corporate sales director, senior vice president at Renault, said: ‘Renault, leader in Electric vehicle in Europe, is proud to support DHL global operations to ensure its sustainability targets, while ensuring its business requirements. With Kangoo Z.E. and its 4m3, Renault supplies a perfect tool for urban deliveries all over the globe. With this agreement, Renault and DHL will accelerate the implementation of Kangoo Z.E. in more new countries, in each continent.’

In the last year, DHL has added over 4,000 cars to its fleet of alternatively fuelled vehicles and now runs around 10,500 alternatively fuelled vehicles as part of the group's climate protection programme GoGreen. Worldwide the firm currently operates over 300 electric vehicles, more than 300 hybrids and almost 2,500 on bio fuel, gas, ethanol or dual fuel. In addition, the company makes use of aerodynamic modifications in order to reduce CO2-emissions significantly.

‘We are at the forefront of testing alternative drives: electric vehicles are particularly suitable for urban delivery on defined routes, where we can take full advantage of their CO2-efficiency, low noise levels as well as efficient cost systems. The Renault Kangoo Z.E. is a vehicle we currently use successfully in several European countries. Renault is a leading reliable global partner in that field and we are keen to drive the change in the logistics industry and we are looking forward to a future expansion of the collaboration with Renault,’ said Manoella Wilbaut, head of global commercial developments for DHL Automotive sector.