DHL (www.DHL.com) – a global market leader in the logistics industry – employs a “burn less, burn clean” focus on alternative fuels. Th e “burn less” portion focuses on reductions of fuel and energy use, while the “burn clean” objective emphasizes a shift to cleaner alternative energy sources. DHL is a part of Deutsche Post DHL Group (www.dpdhl.com), a world-wide postal and logistics organization that off ers several delivery services. “Deutsche Post DHL Group was the fi rst global logistics company to set itself a carbon effi ciency target, with the aim to improve our CO2 effi ciency by 30 percent until the year 2020, compared to 2007,” Achim Juechter, senior expert, fl eet technologies, Deutsche Post DHL Group says. GREEN DECISIONS Choosing an alternative fuel is not a decision that can be made quickly or arbitrarily. It takes time for fl eets to research new technology and devise a plan to implement it. For example, FedEx Express teamed with the non-profi t environmental advocacy group Environmental Defense Fund (www.edf.org) on a project to make delivery trucks more environmentally friendly in 2000. As a result, in 2004, the fi rst commercially available hybrid delivery truck was placed into service on FedEx Express routes. “We believe the wider adoption of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles will play a critical part in reducing global GHG emissions,” FedEx’s Rushing explains. Th ere are a number of alternative fuel options available to fl eets. Among others, current alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels include: • Synthetic diesel. • Renewable natural gas (RNG). • Compressed natural gas (CNG). • Liquid natural gas (LNG). • Liquid propane gas (LPG). • Electric. • Hybrid electric. • Hybrid hydraulic. • Ethanol. • Hydrogen fuel cells. • Bioethanol. • Bio-dimethlether. • Biodiesel. • Biomass-to-liquid (BTL) • Hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO). According to UPS’ Britt, the company has been utilizing any and all alternative fuels that may benefi t the company for approximately 10 years, with a major deployment beginning in 2012. At this time, UPS feels natural gas provides the best overall benefi t for the company’s Class 8 fl eet, while some form of hybrid electric vehicle works best for its Class 6 trucks. Light Duty | “We use all the major alternative fuels available that make sense for our fl eet,” Britt says. “Choices are made based on geographic availability – southern states, for example, have a reliable supply of LNG, but northern states do not – and available infrastructure such as fueling stations.” Recognizing that there is not one, single “silver bullet” solution, DHL’s testing of alternative fuels intensifi ed in 2005. “Th e ‘burn less, burn clean’ strategy itself was set in place in line with the foundation of our environmental program GoGreen in the year 2008. Since then, the introduction of alternative fuels to our fl eet is a continuously ongoing process,” DHL’s Juechter says, noting that the company recently began serial production of its own electric delivery vehicle, Streetscooter, and has plans to produce 2,000 units. “Over the past years, we have tested a broad range of alternative fuels,” he continues. “Th e fi nal choice on a fuel application is typically made based on four factors.” Th ese factors are: • Operational feasibility. • Environmental benefi ts. • Economic impact. • Local applicability, covering the aspects of market availability and legislative approvals. What’s more, the choice of fuel in a market can vary depending on factors like vehicle class and type of operational usage, diff erent regional fuel and fuel infrastructure availability, cost diff erences and other factors. “Today, over short ranges, we mainly apply electric drives and gaseous fuels like CNG in our fl eet, while in long distance operations, we rely on liquid fuels like LNG or HVO,” Juechter says. TRAINING Implementing alternative fuel vehicles involves more than selecting a fuel and installing equipment on a vehicle. Both drivers and technicians need to be educated on how to use and maintain the fuel and related components. For example, to get the desired savings, operators may need to drive the vehicles a specifi c way. “Advanced propulsion vehicles do need a diff erent drive skill set to operate than conventional vehicles,” Britt of UPS notes. “Depending on the solution applied, driver training can be a crucial factor for success,” DHL’s Juechter agrees. “Diff erent fuels can lead to changes in which a vehicle needs to be handled and driven. In these cases, the full potential of solutions can only be achieved with corresponding driver training.” Similarly, maintenance practice adjustments and technician training may be required to keep alternative fuel vehicles operating at peak effi ciency. “Th is accounts – for sure – for all kinds of electric drives,” Juechter says. DHL has tested a broad range of alternative fuels. The fi nal choice on a fuel application is based on operational feasibility, environmental benefi ts, economic impact and local applicability. Photo courtesy of DHL Online Exclusive UPS recently surpassed its goal of driving 1 billion miles in its alternative fuel and advanced technology fl eet. To learn more, watch this related video at VehicleServicePros.com/12253507 Continued Page 33 VehicleServicePros.com ❚ OCTOBER 2016 ❚ FLEET MAINTENANCE 31
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