DHL plans to roll out their all-electric vans

German mail delivery company DHL has revealed plans for selling a self-built electric vehicle that they created in 2013. In 2011, DHL’s Global Forwarding division teamed up with the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership to develop plans to improve DHL’s operating efficiency. This resulted in the creation of the StreetScooter in 2013 which they intend to sell to the public now.

The StreetScooter is a machine tailor-made to the exact needs of a delivery company like DHL. It offers 120 km of maximum range and ample storage capacity, which are critical for a delivery firm. About 50 of these StreetScooters were made in 2013 out of which 30 vehicles are currently being used for the company’s home needs in Germany while the rest serves a pilot project.

Automotive News Europe reports that the StreetScooter was made to replace the Volkswagen vans in DHL’s lineup but now they have taken it to the next level. DHL plans to put this vehicle squarely against bigger manufacturers and they aim to bite into a fair share of the market as the bigger manufacturers do not produce purpose-built electric delivery vans. DHL was already in a tight spot as their order was turned down by many manufacturers since they required only a few vehicles.