DHL Express to Add 43 Electric Vehicles for Enhanced Pick Up and Delivery in Korea

• The new fleet includes 40 Kia Bongo III units and three PV5 Cargo units
• The PV5 Cargo model, specifically tailored to international express services, will be introduced for the first time in Korea
• This deployment will replace around 40% of the fleet with electric vehicles, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 698 tons annually

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, announced that it will introduce 43 electric delivery vans, including the Kia Bongo III and PV5 Cargo Standard models, optimized for express services in the country. This brings the total electric vehicle fleet for DHL Express in Korea to 194. The new electric vehicles will be added by the end of September this year.

DHL Express started with 45 Kia Bongo III electric vans in 2021. This time, it will add 40 Kia Bongo III electric vehicles as well as three PV5 Cargo vehicles. The PV5 is also the first deployment of the model since a memorandum of understanding signed between Kia and DHL Express to collaborate on the development of DHL-optimized platform-beyond vehicles (PBV) specially tailored for express services.

JiHun (Michael) Han, Managing Director of DHL Express Korea, said, “The additional deployment of Bongo III EV and PV5 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fuel costs, and maintenance costs and maximize vehicle operation efficiency, allowing us to provide better services to our customers. As a global logistics company, DHL Express will continue to take proactive actions towards achieving emissions reduced operations, and in so doing, encourage other players to do the same.”

The PV5 Cargo is an electric delivery vehicle model being introduced in conjunction with Kia's PBV launch, featuring a specialized design optimized for international express services. Compared to the existing EV model, PV5 Cargo offers a longer driving range of up to 280 kilometers on a seven-hour charge, significantly reducing charging time and increasing operational hours. This improvement enhances energy efficiency and enables more reliable service in areas with high daily mileage. The model also features a high-adjustable cargo compartment and a lower vehicle height, allowing for easier loading and unloading, as well as better access to underground parking spaces in urban areas.

With the deployment of 43 EVs this year, DHL Express Korea will operate 194 electric delivery vehicles in total. This also means that two in five pickup and delivery vehicles are electric, reducing approximately 698 metric tons of CO2e compared to the previous year. Each EV is expected to save operational and maintenance costs by more than 66% and 34%, respectively.

In addition, to ensure seamless operations, DHL Express Korea will install another 38 7-kW charging stations in service centers across Korea. This brings the total to 191 charging stations in its country’s operations. Moreover, delivery staff will be trained twice a year on electric vehicle driving, covering topics such as the benefits of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, fuel cost saving, vehicle maintenance efficiency, and extending vehicle lifespan.

DHL Express Korea has accelerated its decarbonization efforts in line with the DHL Group’s Corporate Strategy 2030. It plans to replace at least two-thirds of its fuel-powered vehicles with electric vehicles by 2030. It also is leading efforts to expand sustainability infrastructure, including EV charging facilities and carbon-neutral buildings. Additionally, DHL is operating GoGreen Plus service, designed to reduce carbon emissions associated with its international shipments through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), based on the book & claim approach.