The new vehicles will be delivered when production begins in June.
The eTGE has a load capacity of 10.7m3 and a range of 65-70 miles. The 36kW lithium ion battery can be fully charged in just over five hours or rapid charged to 80% in 45 minutes, according to MAN.
The MAN order is the latest move by DPD to become the most environmentally responsible city centre delivery company, with its aim for 10% of its van fleet to be electric in all 68 UK depots by the end of this year.
“The 3.5-tonne van is absolutely core to our delivery and collection fleet strategy, so this is a big deal for us,” says Dwain McDonald, CEO of DPD (pictured, right, with Thomas Hemmerich, MD of MAN Truck & Bus UK).
“It gives us huge efficiencies on the road in terms of route densities, but we’ve had to wait a long time for the first electric right-hand drive 3.5-tonne vans. We’re really pleased to be partnering with MAN Truck & Bus on what is another UK EV first, and we are hugely grateful for their support.
“We are urging other manufacturers to bring forward right-hand drive electrics as we can take far more. It isn’t just us demanding them: our retail customers have responded very positively to our new EV fleet and they want to be telling their customers about their green deliveries, too.”
The official launch of the MAN eTGE will take place at the Commercial Vehicle Show in April.
Last month, DPD announced it was taking delivery of 300 new electric Nissan e-NV200 vans, with delivery to be completed by May (see link below).