FedEx Express Europe, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, has added 23 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric vans to its London operations.

The 3.5-tonne fully electric vehicles have been split between the Bermondsey and Hornsey stations

The 3.5-tonne fully electric vehicles have been split between the Bermondsey and Hornsey stations, which took 19 and four vans respectively, and are fully compliant with the capital’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Charging is carried out onsite overnight; both sites are supplied with renewable energy and the Bermondsey station was kitted out with 19 charging points earlier this year while 20 charging points went live in Hornsey.

Robert Peto, vice president operations UK, FedEx Express, said: “Our employees and customers alike are excited to see the first of these vehicles out and about in London, making zero-tailpipe emissions parcel pickup and deliveries more commonplace for us as we gradually electrify our FedEx-owned pick-up and delivery fleet in Europe.”

The new vehicles support the FedEx Express sustainability goals. In March 2021, FedEx Express set a global target for 50% of all newly procured parcel pickup and delivery vehicles to be electric by 2025. This should rise to 100% of new vehicle orders by 2030, supporting its plans for carbon-neutral operations around the world by 2040.

David Perdomo Hollatz, head of sales & marketing Mercedes-Benz Vans Region Europe & Germany, said: “I am pleased that our battery-electric eSprinter vehicles are helping FedEx Express towards its own goals in the area of locally emissions-free pick-up and delivery. Reliability and customer orientation are important values, in logistics as well as in vehicle manufacturing. As a company, Mercedes-Benz is committed to these values.”

FedEx Express stations in Barking, Enfield, and Milton are next in line to receive electric vehicles in 2024, with an expansion of charging infrastructure planned for a further three pick-up and delivery stations in and around London.

As the FedEx fleet increasingly goes electric, existing diesel vehicles that still have an ‘operational lifespan’ will be redistributed in its fleet and older vehicles retired from operations completely, supporting the company’s ‘Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize’ ethos.