DHL Express unveiled its first mobile charging cart on Wednesday at the International Ground Support Equipment Expo in Las Vegas.
The introduction represents the first international express package carrier to implement mobile charging carts and is part of the company’s sustainability efforts. The carts will power electric equipment, the company said, and will reduce carbon emissions (CO2) by nearly 800 tons per year.
“Mobile charging technology is a significant step forward in DHL’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and meeting ambitious sustainability goals in the coming years,” said Greg Hewitt, CEO, DHL Express U.S. “We’re looking at ways to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious across all aspects of our operation.”
The company said it has invested nearly $10 million into the initiative. The cart will serve as a mobile charging platform for battery-powered ground support equipment (eGSE). DHL will replace older combustion-powered equipment with new eGSE equipment including K-loaders, pushback tractors, belt loaders, baggage tugs and group power units.
In October, the first airport to roll out the new charging cart will be San Diego International Airport (SAN). Later, the equipment will be introduced to three other airports with DHL express operations – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The carts are equipped with four to six chargers with two output charging cables each, for a total of eight to 12 connectors. By enabling multiple charging stations from a single-grid power source, the carts offer unparalleled flexibility while optimizing electrical equipment operations efficiency. The carts will also act as a backup system in the case of a power outage, the company said.