Urban Operator of the Year

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Dpd

DPD continues to transform its urban operation with the expansion of pickup points and deployment of its all-electric fleet –30% of its vehicles now operate emission-free.

During 2022, DPD invested £111m switching 3,000 vehicles from diesel to electric (100% growth versus 2021), which delivered 35 million parcels, double the number achieved in 2021.

The parcel firm’s ‘Vision 30’ strategy to decarbonise deliveries in 30 UK cities by the end of 2023 saw diesel vehicles taken off streets in 21 UK cities in 2022.

DPD has trialled and implemented autonomous robot deliveries and used HVO to fuel 60% of its HGV fleet, whilst building strategic relationships with companies to expand its urban charging infrastructure, ensuring DPD can deliver clean in the urban environment.

It has also focused on road safety and rolled out VisionTrack in its HGVs; proactively lobbied central and local government to garner support to accelerate the UK achieving net zero; and instigated its own clean air programme, with over 400 sensors measuring pollutants in cities and sharing that data with consumers and local government.

The judges said: “DPD has demonstrated its commitment to changing both the urban and non-urban delivery landscape; the entry has shown how innovative and dynamic the road transport sector is, particularly in terms of urban operation.The scale of the EV rollout coupled to the Electric Cities initiative is particularly impressive, as is a wide roll-out of HVO while trialling an EV HDV.”

Elb

Optimising performance while managing the dynamic risk assessments required to operate within strict safety guidelines, ELB recognises that urban supply chain operators must be ever-vigilant of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in densely populated environments.

The business has invested heavily in its fleet to ensure it is fitted with the latest road safety equipment and optimised for efficiency.

It has also added two electric vans and is trialling an electric HGV, as well as continuing to use seven lithium battery-powered fork-lift trucks.

In the last 12 months, even though ELB’s fleet size has increased, it has improved miles per gallon from 8.91 in 2022 to 9.88 this year.

ELB has also managed to introduce out-of-hours deliveries into its pallet operation.

It has maintained its FORS Gold standard for the ninth consecutive year in 2023.

One judge said: “ELB operates in a challenging environment, where electrified vehicles are not always easy to make fit for purpose. By looking at the current vehicles of choice and concentrating on those areas where change can benefit operations and improve safety, the business is demonstrating its concern for all.”

Another commented: “FORS Gold standard across primarily a HGV fleet operating in London undoubtedly takes a huge amount of hard work and effort.”

Evri

Evri delivers around 750 million parcels every year.

At the end of 2021, it launched a comprehensive and ambitious strategy to reach net-zero direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2035.

As part of that roadmap, Evri is exploring active delivery models to create zero-emission final-mile delivery solutions, particularly in urban and congested areas.

The parcels firm is also eager to pursue innovative circular business models that will support its clients and customers.

Evri has conducted successful trials using street portering, in collaboration with Ford, at one of its London sites and explored an e-cargo bike operation in Driffield, East Yorkshire using e-bikes with a 2cu m capacity and able to carry 130 parcels.

During 2022, it has also partnered with zero-emission final-mile firm Zedify and continued to invest in its ParcelShop and Lockers network.

The judges said: “EVRI has actively embraced the challenges of last mile delivery and operation, through improvements in vehicle types and innovation, by select partnerships to bring added benefit to end users, the environment and staff; the trial of the various routes to the final mile delivery using e-bikes is an exceptional step forward for the home parcel delivery market, and could set the way or future for this heavily subscribed market.”

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