OREANDA-NEWS. August 02, 2013. Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading postal and logistics group, was granted an individual operating permit today from DEKRA (vehicle testing and certification) to operate electric StreetScooter vehicles. Deutsche Post DHL, StreetScooter GmbH and RWTH Aachen University have developed this innovative electric car that is specifically designed for mail and parcel delivery.

DEKRA granted the individual operating permit after extensive testing of the electromagnetic compatibility and other technical specifications. The first StreetScooter will be put into operation for mail and parcel delivery beginning at the end of August as part of the pilot project "CO2-freie Zustellung Bonn" (carbon neutral delivery Bonn). By the end of 2013, a total of 50 vehicles are scheduled to be in operation, 20 of which in Bonn and another 30 at delivery depots around Germany.

“The StreetScooter today managed yet another stage on its successful course with bravery. Now that the official permit by DEKRA has been received, the first StreetScooter will take to the streets of Bonn with the delivery of letters and parcels in urban areas starting in August. The StreetScooter is not only carbon efficient and quiet, it has also been developed according to the requirements of everyday postal requirements and so perfectly matches our needs,” said Jurgen Gerdes, Corporate Board Member for MAIL at Deutsche Post DHL. "I'm confident that the StreetScooter will also pass the test in our day-to-day operations."

The StreetScooter for mail and parcel delivery must be able to handle 200 stops and starts and will be in service up to 300 days a year. The body of the vehicle, which is around 4.6 meters long, provides sufficient cargo capacity and meets all safety standards. With a range of up to 120 km (maximum of 80 km in stop-and-go mail delivery service), the StreetScooter is ideal for joint delivery – i.e. the delivery of both mail and parcels.

Deutsche Post DHL has partnered with many alternative drive system pilot projects. This includes hybrid engines, electric vehicles and both natural gas and biogas vehicles as well as testing dual fuel and aerodynamic modifications. Electric vehicles are especially suited for driving in stop-and-go traffic. Because they emit nearly no air or noise pollution, the vehicles are extremely environmentally friendly. The prospect of independence from fossil fuels makes vehicles with electric drive systems a forward-looking investment. Testing and putting them into operation now supply us with important results for widespread production in the future.