The Express division of the Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced that it is the first company in the world to order twelve electric “Alice” planes from Eviation. DHL plans to use this order to set up the first zero-emission air cargo network and make an important step towards sustainable aviation. The “Alice” electric aircraft enables cargo and passenger airlines to operate a zero-emission fleet. The electric cargo planes are scheduled to make their maiden flight this year and Eviation expects to deliver the aircraft to DHL Express in 2024. “Alice” can be flown by a single pilot and carry more than 1,200 kg of cargo. The plane’s batteries can be charged during loading and unloading, which enables rapid turnaround times. Each flight hour requires around 30 minutes of charging time. The maximum range is 815 km. The electric aircraft is particularly suited to shorter feeder routes and requires little investment in station infrastructure.
“We firmly believe in a future with zero-emission logistics,” says John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “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 Express has been known as a pioneer in the aviation industry for decades. We have found the perfect partner with Eviation as they share our purpose, and together we will take off into a new era of sustainable aviation.”
Just a few weeks ago, the Deutsche Post DHL Group discontinued its “Paketkopter” parcel drone development project. A company spokesperson said that the project had not been pursued for some time now. A pilot project for delivering medication in Tanzania in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the drone manufacturer Wingcopter has also been discontinued.
Share this page on Social Media:
