In what the company claims is the first of its kind, the truck features an on-board power generator as well as a super capacitor energy storage system.

The prototype, which has been under development for two years, has now been delivered to DHL’s Maidstone facility as part of a “proof of concept” trial.

The truck will be used around London as part of the NHS Supply Chain contract because of its particular suitability for stop-start journeys.

DHL says that if successful, the new technology could play a major role in its urban, local and home delivery operations in the future.

The company has pledged to increase its CO2 efficiency by 30% by 2020 compared with a 2007 baseline and reached the halfway point this year, with an efficiency increase of 16%.

Conor McGlone

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