Japanese logistics provider Yamato Transport orders 500 StreetScooter EVs

The Japanese logistics provider Yamato, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year, has ordered 500 electric light utility vehicles from StreetScooter, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

As part of the close development partnership between the two companies, the electric vehicles have been modified to meet both Japanese standards and the specific needs of Yamato. That means these “Made in Germany” e-transporters will be sporting a steering wheel on the right. Delivery is scheduled for operation during fiscal year 2019.

While restructuring a sustainable last mile delivery network for TA-Q-BIN, it has been a big challenge for us to develop new delivery vehicles with the consideration of our employee’s point of view. This encounter with StreetScooter is truly exciting to us, and we’re looking forward to our first step towards a resolution through joint development.

—Yutaka Nagao, Representative Director, President and Executive Officer of Yamato Transport

TA-Q-BIN provides next day (or two day) shipping services for residents in Japan to anywhere in the country.

Yamato ordered 500 Work Pure. This model is StreetScooter at its most basic since the variant has no truck body. Truck bodies will be assembled and installed on Work Pure chassis by the Japanese company Toprec, and will also be suitable for cold-chain applications.

Maintenance and repair will be performed by the Yamato Transport’s group company, Yamato Autoworks, which is responsible for the group’s delivery fleet and also functions as a fleet services provider for third parties.

Yamato Transport is the leading logistics company in Japan and number one on the domestic parcel market. In fiscal year 2018, the company transported some 1.8 billion items.

With the help of Yamato’s “TA-Q-BIN” service, customers can send parcels, merchandise (even cold-chain items) as well as bulky goods and luggage to nearly any address in Japan, including hotels and airports.

In addition to last-mile delivery, the Yamato Group also offers a range of commercial options: Logistics services for major customers (BIZ logistics), appliance installation and moves (home convenience) as well as IT solutions (e-business), financial services (financial) and vehicle services (Autoworks). Yamato is the official logistics partner of the Olympic Games and the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.

Sono Motors Plans Solar Powered Car Reveal On July 27

What has room for six passengers, an all electric range of up to 155 miles, and a body covered in solar panels that can add as many as 18 miles of driving a day from sunlight? That would be the Sono Motors Sion, an innovative solar powered car from a team of German entrepreneurs that is scheduled to have its world debut on July 27.

The Sion project was able to move forward thanks to an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign last year that raised over a half million dollars. More than 1,000 people have participated so far. The car will have two versions. The Urban comes with a 14.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack. It has a range of about 75 miles and will cost $13,200. The Extender version has a 30 kilowatt-hour battery and a range of 155 miles. Its target price is $17,600. Neither price includes the battery. Like the Renault Zoe, customers will either buy the battery separately or lease it. The leasing option gives owners the flexibility to upgrade the battery later as improvements in battery technology become available.

The hood, roof and rear hatch of the Sion are covered with monocrystalline silicon cells that are 21% efficient. On a sunny day, they can generate enough electricity to add 18 miles of range. The solar cells are eight millimeters thick and embedded in a polycarbonate layer that is shatterproof, weather resistant and light in weight. The Sion can also be 80% charged using an AC outlet in about 30 minutes, according to company claims. No DC charging option is available. The car also comes with an outlet that can power electronic devices.

Inside, all the seats of the five door hatchback fold flat, offering multiple configurations for carrying passengers and cargo. There is a 10 inch center display and smartphone connectivity via wifi or Bluetooth. The ventilation system is called breSono and incorporates a dollop of moss, which is said to act as a natural filter when an electrical charge is applied.

The company will offer an online maintenance and repair system it calls reSono. It allows owners to order parts online and comes with a video that shows them how to install the parts when they arrive.  Or they can take the car and the parts to any local auto repair shop facility to get them installed.

Test drives will be available starting in September with production beginning next year. Sono is emulating the approach used by DHL with its electric delivery vans. It is sourcing most of the components to build its cars from existing OEM suppliers so it can concentrate on getting the design right and incorporating suggestions from its online community into the final product. The Sion is perhaps a bit small for American customers but it should appeal strongly to Europeans who live in crowded cities where parking is at a premium.

Source: Hybrid Cars

DHL France adding 50 Renault Kangoo Z.E. and ZOE EVs to fleet by 2015

Renault will supply DHL France with a fleet of electric vehicles by 2015. A total 50 vehicles—Kangoo Z.E. and ZOE models— have already been confirmed. The first four—which are Kangoo Z.E. models— will be delivered by the end of 2012.

The new partnership strengthens the cooperation between Renault and DHL in the development of electric vehicles in France.

Renault chose DHL in 2011 to manage the logistics of battery shipments to all Z.E. centers and expert sites across France. DHL, the global leader in transport and logistics, chose Renault to help it develop the use of electric vehicles as part of its activities.

Additional orders will depend on different potential needs.

DHL Express adds 100 more propane autogas vans for pickup and delivery fleet

DHL Express has added 100 more pickup and delivery vans fueled by propane autogas to its fleet. The new Ford E-250 cargo vans, each equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel system, will be on the road by late August 2012 and will support DHL Express pickup and delivery service within California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas.

The new alternative fuel vehicles join other propane vehicles already operating for DHL Express in Ohio, Tennessee and Louisiana. They all complement Deutsche Post DHL’s GOGREEN program and its target to improve the company’s worldwide carbon efficiency 30% by 2020, using 2007 levels as a baseline.

Through the use of propane autogas, each alternative fuel vehicle saves more than 22,587 pounds (10,245 kg) of CO₂ emissions each year. Propane autogas is a lower carbon fuel that reduces greenhouse gases by up to 25%, carbon monoxide by up to 60%, nitrogen oxide by 20% and virtually eliminates particulate matter when compared to conventional fuels. In addition, non-toxic propane does not harm soil or groundwater.

DHL Express plans to use existing public refueling infrastructure in addition to adding refueling capability at its service center facilities. The infrastructure for propane autogas is less expensive than any other alternative fuel, and with thousands of stations across the nation, propane autogas already has the largest public refueling infrastructure of all alternative transportation fuel options.

ROUSH CleanTech offers dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel systems for a variety of light- and medium-duty Ford vans and trucks, and for the Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision and Micro Bird G5 school bus. Currently offered through authorized Ford dealerships around the country, the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system delivers the same factory Ford performance characteristics and serviceability with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty.