Evri, is trialling two electric HGVs, tractor and rigid this month as it moves to reduce emissions in the first and middle mile of its express delivery journey. These vehicles join the existing fleet which includes 190 bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) tractor units, 44 vehicles running on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), 168 electric vans and a fleet of e-cargo bikes.

In a trial, due to conclude by the end of September 2023, Evri is testing a Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor unit and a 16t rigid, both of which produce zero tailpipe emissions and will be charged at Evri’s hub in Rugby. The Volvo FM Electric has a load capacity of 23 tonnes, a battery capacity of 450-540 kWh which should deliver a 300km range. The vehicle has 3 electrical motors and performs up to 2400 Nm and 650 hp.

This follows Evri’s recent announcement that it reduced its operational carbon emissions by 31% since last year and reduced its carbon per parcel by 10% in 2022-23 from a 2020/21 baseline. Yorkshire-based Evri expects to deliver more than 500,000 parcels with e-cargo bikes this year and hopes to have an alternative-fuel solution in first, middle and final mile.

David Landy, Head of Fleet at Evri, said: “We’re delighted to have the vehicles to try out and learn from them. We’re keen for our site teams to get used to the new technology as we continue to grow a more sustainable fleet. These journeys require an extensive range to maintain efficiency of the parcel journey, so it’s the toughest areas to decarbonise.”

Evri delivers over 700 million parcels a year. The company has a mission to be the most convenient way to send, receive and return parcels, without costing the earth. Evri works with most of Europe’s top retailers, marketplaces and pre-loved sites. The roots of Evri can be traced back to Yorkshire in 1974 but the business has grown over the decades and now has a team of 8,000+ employees, 20,000+ couriers, 10,000+ out of home locations and a growing network of state-of-the-art hubs and depots.