DPD Germany is helping VW live test two fully-electric pre-series VW e-Crafter delivery vehicles in Hamburg.

The e-Crafter vehicles will be used by DPD to deliver parcels in the city centre and the two districts, St Pauli and Sternschanze until the end of this year.

In return for using the test vehicles, DPD is to provide VW with feedback on its experience with the delivery vans in daily operations.

“In inner-city areas DPD is constantly testing new drive systems and delivery methods aimed at providing local parcel deliveries which are free from emissions,” said Gerd Seber, Group Manager Sustainability & Innovation at DPD Deutschland. 

“We’re delighted that in the VW e-Crafter we can test a model from our preferred vehicle class. In view of the continuing discussion of access restrictions and driving bans in inner-city areas, suitable series-produced vehicles of this size are becoming more important than ever.” 

The VW van has a maximum range of 160km. Its load capacity is unimpeded by the li-ion batteries which are integrated in the floor of the van, meaning that it still has a capacity of 10.7 cubic metres. However there will be an impact on axle weight, meaning that there will be a maximum load weight of 1.0-1.75 tonnes. The batteries of the e-Crafter are charged at AC wall boxes with an output of 7.2 kW, which are installed at the DPD depot in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg.