- DHL has placed an order for Electric planes.
- The planes are set to be delivered in 2024.
- A single charge can last a distance of 815km.
German delivery service DHL Express has placed a purchase order for 12 fully electric cargo planes from US-based start-up Eviation. The electric aircraft model, called Alice, is set to take off for its first flight later this year. The company will deliver the order to DHL Express in 2024. The Alice aircraft will be available for the US and EU markets initially, according to Eviation.
Alice has a charge time of 30 minutes or less per flight hour and can be charged while the plane is being loaded and unloaded. A single charge is capable of a flight distance of about 815 kilometres (440 nautical miles). The plane can also carry about 1,200 kilogrammes (2,600 lbs) and requires just one pilot.
John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, stated: “We firmly believe in a future with zero-emission logistics. Therefore, our investments always follow the objective of improving our carbon footprint. On our way to clean logistics operations, the electrification of every transport mode plays a crucial role and will significantly contribute to our overall sustainability goal of zero emissions,”
DHL’s parent company, Deutsche Post AG, has committed €7 billion ($8.33bn) to measures to ensure a reduced carbon footprint by 2030.