DPD orders 341 Mercedes-Benz eSprinters ahead of Christmas
DPD is adding 341 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric vans to its nationwide delivery fleet as it continues its transition towards lower-emission operations ahead of the crucial Christmas peak.
Mercedes-Benz Vans has confirmed that leading delivery company DPD has selected dealer eStar to supply the 341 eSprinters as part of a wider fleet agreement. The first vehicles will enter service from September, with all 341 scheduled to be operational by the end of October.
The investment will give DPD additional electric van capacity as it prepares for increased customer demand during the peak Christmas delivery period, while supporting its longer-term fleet decarbonisation strategy.
The order also highlights the importance of vehicle uptime as fleet operators increasingly move towards electric commercial vehicles. For a business such as DPD, where deliveries operate seven days a week throughout the year, vehicle availability is critical to maintaining customer service levels.
Every new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter will be supported by Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare Complete, providing repair and maintenance support through the manufacturer’s nationwide dealer network.
The agreement is expected to generate significant long-term aftersales activity across the Mercedes-Benz retailer network, with authorised dealers providing servicing, maintenance and repair support to DPD’s electric van fleet.
Mercedes-Benz connected vehicle technology will also play a role in maximising uptime. The system can alert DPD and its nominated dealer when a vehicle may require attention, allowing maintenance work to be planned before a fault results in the van being taken off the road.
Steve Bridge, Managing Director of eStar, said: “The agreement reflects DPD’s focus on whole-life value, with uptime, maintenance support and operational resilience central to the decision.
“Reliability extends far beyond the vehicle itself,” said Steve. “When customers are judging you literally on whether you deliver or not, having as many of your fleet in service, on the road and operational is a higher business priority than ever, especially in the run up to Christmas when there is increased demand.
“A key part of the relationship with DPD is our CompleteCare package, where we can anticipate problems with vehicles in advance, so we can take preventative action, as opposed to only reacting if or when a vehicle needs attention.
“It means DPD can concentrate on what they do really well, knowing that we have the backs of their drivers and keep the business moving.
“We liken it to the technology that airlines adopt for aircraft, picking out the parts of the plane likely to need maintenance and repair before it becomes an issue, benefitting customers while mitigating the huge cost of having them out of action.”
Rob Dawson, Head of LCV, DPD UK said “We’re delighted to continue working with Mercedes-Benz Vans as a trusted partner. As we continue to invest in a more sustainable fleet, having the right partners alongside us is just as important as having the right vehicles.
“The eSprinter gives us the capability we need to support lower-emission deliveries, while Mercedes-Benz Vans’ aftersales expertise and nationwide support network will play an important role in keeping our vehicles on the road and our operation moving. We’re looking forward to building on the relationship as our fleet continues to evolve.”
Dawson said another major advantage of partnering with eStar and the Mercedes-Benz Vans network was the ability to mobilise vehicles at scale within a tight timeframe.
That capability will be particularly important as DPD prepares for the seasonal increase in parcel volumes. With the entire order due to be operational by the end of October, the company will have additional electric delivery capacity in place before the Christmas peak.
The move demonstrates how large delivery fleets are increasingly combining electric vehicle investment with preventative maintenance and connected technology to address the operational challenges associated with fleet electrification.
For DPD, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter order represents both an expansion of its electric van fleet and an investment in the infrastructure and aftersales support needed to keep those vehicles working effectively.
Iain Forsyth, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: “In a fast-moving business landscape, it’s becoming increasingly vital for businesses like DPD operating at scale, to need partnerships that ensure vans remain operational to meet customer demands.
“DPD deliver seven days a week, 52 weeks a year so it feels good to have their backs and really deliver for them.”
