On innovation path: DPD Austria tests electrical “package bee”
DPD Austria – Austria’s leading private parcel service – once again proves its innovation leadership: From now on, parcels will be delivered in the city of Salzburg with the PIAGGIO APE (“Bee”) van CLASSIC with electric drive.
“The DPD bee was rebuilt especially for our needs and is initially on the road as a prototype in the city of Salzburg to bring packages environmentally friendly to the recipients,” said Mag. Rainer Schwarz, Managing Director DPD Austria, and adds: “The big advantages of this small e-transporter: Our delivery staff are thus very agile in the city, can also enter narrow streets well, need only a small parking space and – not to forget – an important contribution to CO2 reduction is made. “
The iconic Italian tricycle has a range of 80 kilometers, depending on the load. Packages with a maximum weight of 400 kilograms can be accommodated in the E-APE. Rainer Schwarz: “If the number of parcels exceeds the load compartment, we have taken care of that as well: it is possible to connect a trailer.”
The “last mile” has long been an important topic for DPD. E-cargo bicycles are therefore already being used for delivery in the cities of Vienna, Linz and Salzburg. If the APE prototype proves its worth after the test phase, which is expected to go into the winter months, the “DPD Package Bee” will go into production.
The vehicle was converted by Lagermax Autotransport GmbH, special vehicles division, a subsidiary of the Lagermax Group, which is one of the shareholders behind the DPD brand in Austria.