Deutsche Post DHL Building 2nd StreetScooter Electric Van Factory, Doubling Production Volume
Following our earlier report about Ford possibly mass producing Deutsche Post DHL’s internally developed StreetScooter electric van, the company has revealed that it will be doubling its own production capacity and building a new factory in Dueren near Cologne.
This new facility will reportedly employ 250 people, and will possess an annual production capacity of 10,000 units. Further expansion beyond that figure will be possible with the introduction of a second and/or third shift.
These units will be sold primarily to third parties. Production at the new facility is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2018, a company spokesperson has revealed.
“We are now beginning the next phase of development at StreetScooter,” commented Juergen Gerdes, the head of Deutsche Post’s post, e-commerce, and parcel delivery businesses. “Our goal is and remains market leadership in green logistics.”
Reuters provides more: “Deutsche Post said it was now producing a high-performance version of its current model, with a range of 200 kilometers (124 miles) instead of 80 kilometers, and top speed of 120 kilometers per hour, up from 85. It is also testing StreetScooters with fuel-cell drives, which could travel over 500 kilometers, it said.
“Screetscooter has begun developing vehicles for specific industries, starting with the Bakery Vehicle One (BV1), an electric 3.5 tonne van developed together with bakers. Deutsche Post said it had received more than 100 advance orders for the BV1, with prices from €42,950 ($50,430).
“It was also talking to energy providers, waste disposal companies, municipalities, airports, facility-management companies, and caterers about customizing e-vans for their industries.”
It’s not clear yet what this announcement means as regards a possible collaboration with Ford. Presumably if collaboration with Ford continues, then it will involve the international market more so than the German one, but who can say for sure at this point?
For further background information, see: DHL (Deutsche Post) Electric Delivery Vans To Go On Sale In 2017.
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