Avoid Challenges Facing Last Mile Delivery, Switch to an EV Fleet
Last mile delivery operators must continue to electrify their fle...
DX Group (plc) is an end-to-end mail, parcels, and logistics network operator, providing services throughout the UK and Ireland. It operates a fleet of more than 850 vehicles from a network of 87 depots.
The Group’s Freight division is embarking on a three-year plan to electrify vehicles dedicated to one of its most valued clients, a major UK retailer. The initial £750,000 investment includes 12 Maxus e-Deliver electric vans, with a further 48 EVs to come over the next three years.
DX required a charging infrastructure partner to support the first dozen EVs operating from its depots in Southampton and Warrington – and to underpin the future roll-out of more electric vehicles. DX chose EV charging specialist Mer to provide a comprehensive service from consultancy to aftercare.
Mer began by installing 7kW chargers across two depots in Southampton and Warrington.
Mer initially carried out site surveys to help DX Freight fully understand the energy constraints at each depot, based on their grid connections. Where necessary, Mer also proposed solutions to work around these constraints, such as its load-balancing technology.
In addition, Mer worked with DX Freight to understand its vehicles’ workloads, range, and available recharge time, to recommend the most cost-effective charge points. As a result, Mer has installed 7kW fast chargers from Alfen, a manufacturer known for the reliability of its hardware. Drivers plug in at the end of the day and the vehicles are fully recharged overnight.
An extra layer of support comes in the form of the Mer Connect back-office platform, which gives DX Freight full visibility in real time of charger status and usage. Mer Connect also carries out regular health checks on each charge point and can even remotely fix some issues without the need for an engineer call-out, reducing downtime.
Paul Ibbetson, CEO - DX (Group) plc
Paul Ibbetson, CEO of DX (Group) plc, said: “Our vehicles are business-critical assets that are a key component in the high level of service we provide to our clients. Therefore, we needed an EV charging partner who could prioritise reliability of infrastructure. Our drivers need to know that when they arrive at the start of a shift, those vehicles are fully charged and ready to go.
“We also needed a partner who was in it for the longer term, who can help us develop a robust and sustainable charging network across our depots as we grow our electric fleet. Mer ticked all our boxes and has delivered exactly what we needed.”
Last mile delivery operators must continue to electrify their fle...
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