In a promising move, Deutsche Post World Net has received the first set of Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid and a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid trucks. The go-ahead for the largest fleet test in the company’s history was given on January 29, 2008 during the World Mobility Forum in Stuttgart. The trial will initially include DHL Express operations in the UK as well as mail transport in Germany.

In the coming months further Daimler hybrid vehicles will be integrated into the DHL fleet. Daimler and Deutsche Post anticipate that the two 7.5 ton vehicles, which run on hybrid diesel-electric engines, will use up to 20 percent less fuel than conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles and will also lead to a reduction in each vehicle’s CO2 emissions.