STUTTGART, Germany — Deutsche Post World Net has become the first logistics company in Europe to trial hybrid trucks in its operations. The go-ahead for the largest fleet test in the company’s history was given on Jan. 29 during the World Mobility Forum in Stuttgart.

Andreas Renschler, member of the board of management of Daimler AG and Head of Daimler Trucks, has handed over the first two vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid and a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid, to Deutsche Post World Net. The trial will initially include DHL Express operations in the UK as well as mail transport in Germany. In the coming months, further Daimler hybrid vehicles will be integrated into the DHL fleet.

“With this initiative we are underlining our technological leadership in the sector and showing that we are serious about our environmental responsibilities,” said Christian Stiefelhagen, member of the MAIL Divisional Board. Daimler and Deutsche Post anticipate that the two 7.5-tonne vehicles, which run on hybrid diesel-electric engines, will use up to 20% less fuel than conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles and will also lead to a reduction in each vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

“Today, Daimler is the global market leader in commercial vehicles with a hybrid drive,” Renschler said. “Our ‘Shaping Future Transportation’ initiative for a cleaner environment shows that we take our responsibility towards our customers and the environment very seriously. We are delighted to be able to provide DHL with the world’s first Mercedes-Benz hybrid-drive truck to use in its postal operations.”

DHL can already draw on past experiences with hybrid vehicles in Japan where DHL has been successfully using the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid since July 2006.

Deutsche Post World Net is currently working on a comprehensive climate protection program for the entire Group. One point of focus is the use of alternative drives, such as electric, gas and hybrid engines.

“We hope to become a role model for the entire sector with our environmentally friendly projects,” explained Stiefelhagen.