Itella Logistics is one of the first Finnish companies to adopt next-generation electric vans. The world’s first factory-made Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL electric vans were handed over to Itella Logistics in Finland on Tuesday, October 30.
Electric vans are ideally suited for delivery services in cities. An electric car runs quietly and produces no carbon dioxide or other emissions. The operating range of the new electric van is approximately 130 kilometers with a single charge. The battery capacity is sufficient for delivery services in cities, where the daily driving distance is approximately 50–70 kilometers. Recharging the batteries takes about five hours.
"Being Finland’s largest transport and delivery company, Itella plays a major role in the development of eco-friendly transportation systems. We are trailblazers and have actively participated in experiments with alternative fuels. Two new electric vans will enter use in Helsinki. In addition to electric vans, Itella Logistics has biogas vehicles around Finland,” says Hannu Valkama, Director of Domestic Transport at Itella Logistics.
Itella’s delivery and transport fleet in Finland currently comprises over 5,000 vehicles, covering around 170 million kilometers per year. An essential goal of Itella’s environmental scheme is to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 30% by 2020 (compared to 2007, in relation to turnover). The most important means to attain this goal include the enhancement of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. Itella also strives to reduce fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions through effective route planning, combining several trips into one, and eco-friendly driving techniques. In addition, the aim is to increase the share of alternative vehicles to 40% by 2020.
Read more about Itella’s environmental responsibility
More information for the media:
Itella Logistics, Domestic Transport, Director Hannu Valkama, tel. +358 400 500 021
Itella Logistics, Domestic Transport, Purchase Manager Pekka Koskinen, tel. +358 400 348 609
Photographs and logos:
www.itella.com/media
Itella Logistics supports and develops the business of its customer companies by providing them with service logistics solutions for road, sea, and air freight, warehousing, and other contract logistics. Customers may outsource an individual element of their logistics process, or even their entire delivery chain to us. Itella Logistics operates in eight countries (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia). The company provides global services through its partners. In 2011, the net sales of Itella Logistics (part of Itella Group) were EUR 732 million and it had 7,100 employees www.itella.com/logistics
