PLANTATION, Fla. — DHL Express has added 100 pickup and delivery vans to its fleet fuelled by 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 for use as part of DHL Express’s pickup and delivery service within California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas.

“Customers in the US and worldwide are increasingly demanding greener logistics and sustainable business procedures,” said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express US. “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.”

“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.”

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

DHL Express plans to use existing public refuelling infrastructure in addition to adding refuelling capability at its service centre facilities.

DHL’s worldwide fleet – including its corporate brands under Deutsche Post DHL –consists of more than 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 battery-powered electric trucks.