DHL Express aims to deploy world’s first all-electric air courier fleet with order of 12 battery-operated aircraft

The parcel delivery giant aims to launch the world’s first fully electric fleet of courier planes in 2024 as part of its drive to cut carbon emissions

The aeroplanes, made by Seattle-based start-up Eviation and known as Alice, can carry 1.2 tonnes of cargo or nine passengers

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Artist’s impression of what the interior of the electric aircraft may look like. Photo: via Reuters

Published: 4:30pm, 4 Aug 2021Updated: 4:57pm, 6 Aug 2021

DHL Express has ordered 12 electric cargo aircraft from an American supplier, with the aim of deploying them as the world’s first all-electric parcel delivery fleet in 2024.

The courier service unit of Deutsche Post DHL Group has ordered the fully electric aeroplanes from Seattle-based start-up Eviation as part of its plans to cut carbon emissions.

“With this engagement DHL aims to set up an unparalleled electric express network and make a pioneering step into a sustainable aviation future,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday. It did not disclose the price of the aircraft.

The plane ordered, known as Alice, can carry 1.2 tonnes of cargo or nine passengers. It can be charged up in 30 minutes per flight hour, and has a maximum range of 815 kilometres.

Founded in 2015 in Israel where it has a research and development unit, Eviation assembled its first planes in the US, where it plans to conduct flight tests.

It was acquired by the Clermont Group, a Singaporean conglomerate, in 2019 for an undisclosed sum. Clermont has also invested in US-based MagniX, a developer of propulsion systems for electric aircraft.