Innovation

Instead of using commun diesel trucks DHL is starting to work with solar panel trucks trailers. This technology consist in receiving the free sun energy which is a renewable energy and turning into electric energy that makes the trucks work. In addition, solar panels can be put on the entire trailer which is a huge area but it can be also in the tractor, the panel is also capting the sun lighting energy while the tractor is off.

The solution idea began in January of the present year and they start using this technology in DHL United Kingdom. DHL is planning to expand this technology around the world for 2019 in order to be align with their internal goal for 2050 of zero carbon emissions.

One thousand and five hundred liters is the average field capacity of a tractor that according with the United States Environmental protection agency it's reversible damage is equivalent to seventy-six tree seedlings grown for 10 years. The use of solar panel technology results in reducing CO2 emissions and field use while impacting the cost of truck maintenance in a positive way. Target 9.4 of Goal 9 is focus on promoting sustainable industrialization with the use of panels the logistics industry can increase the resource-use efficiency and promote a clean environment. Climate Action goal also focus on implementing innovative infrastructure for making change that protect the planet and the logistics industry are protecting the atmosphere by reducing greenhouse gases by using the panel framework.

Inspiration

DHL is committed with their zero emissions goal for 2050 and as part of this declarated target the solutions design people started to focus on developing innovative solutions that will help them reach the target by transforming the transportation industry.

Hector said that the idea of launching new innovations to reduce environmental impact comes from the need of making the resources more efficiency and it was not an idea from one person but for a group of people committed with his job and trying to create better solutions for a better world and for a better customer service.

The solutions design team is the brain of the company, new ideas and new solutions are created by them but they are working in partnership with Don Bur which is a design and manufacturer trailer company and Volvo. DHL group has 5 divisions which are Supply Chain, Express, E-commerce and Global Forwarding but they are one unique company so as Hector say " The group is looking forward to implement this technology in all of our divisions not only for helping the environment but for making the company more profitable". In addition, he thinks a company must have current innovative solutions for their succeed.

Overall impact

The main objective of using solar panels on truck trailers are the caption of solar energy, reducing overall fuel consumption. Regarding the use of regular tractors around the world and the fuel consumption is equivalent to the 81% of the total emissions in the whole world related to mobile transport including private ones like cars and motorcycles.

DHL has been making tests for developing this implementation and tractor trailers can be integrated into both trailers and rigid vehicles, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions as well as lower fuel costs and maintenance spend.

The short term effect of using this technology is that the company does not have to worry about running out of the resource because solar energy es renewable. Even though some trailers are hybrid, meaning they use fuel and take energy from the sun, in an overview they do not have to worry about monitoring fuel levels or spending many dollars in fuels liters. It also means there will be a long term effect of reducing their carbon footprint.

Business benefit

Using solar panel truck trailers gave the company many benefits. The first and the most important is they become more profitable by reducing the costs associated with buying large amounts of fuel for trucks, due to the investment in the solar panels.

The second benefit will be opening new markets because most of their customers want innovative solutions and they are wiling to pay more for something new in the market. Nowadays most of the companies are interested in obtaining suppliers that offer them products or services that are friendly with the environment.

The second benefit for the business is related with increasing the efficiency of the tractor trailers, it means that with less fuel they can travel longer distances. With this the company will be saving thousand of dollars each year.

Social and environmental benefit

The consumption of common fuels results in production of greenhouse gases causing global warming. Global warming is the principal factor of disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and more intense heat waves.

The implementation of this new technology benefits the environment in a directly way and the society in an indirectly way. If we take care of the planet the next generations would have access to natural resources. Using renewable energy is a good example of what woldwide industries should do to start taking action on reciting the carbon footprint.

DHL aims to reduce their carbon footprint by 30% for every package sent, every container shipped and every square meter of warehouse space by 2020.

Interview

Hector Lanzagorta, Solution Design Transportation Director