The two-year development project was carried out by DHL’s GoGreen and Engineering teams with the expertise of Sheffield-based hybrid specialist Magtec. Capable of driving purely using electricity, it can also recapture energy while slowing down, stored in a supercapacitor.

DHL said the vehicle was best suited to inner-city routes, and will be used by NHS Supply Chain, which the company runs, in London for the duration of the trial. If it proves successful the technology is set to be a big part of its urban, local and home delivery operations in the future.

Jonathan Chadburn, vice president of commercial and fleet services (UK Transport) at DHL Supply Chain, said: ‘This latest innovation underlines DHL Supply Chain’s commitment to sustainability and to driving better results for our customers. We always strive to improve our environmental performance and are proud to be at the forefront of green innovation in the logistics sector.’

Marcus Jenkins, managing director of Magtec added: ‘We’re very excited to have developed this ground-breaking new technology and look forward to working with DHL to demonstrate the fuel savings that can be achieved using the system.’

Deutsche Post DHL has already tested technology including hybrids, natural gas and biogas, dual fuel and aerodynamic modifications on its delivery fleet as part of its GoGreen programme. Launched in 2008, this is aiming for a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020, based on 2007 figures, and at a 16% reduction to date is already over half way there.

In May, the company announced it willl have 141 electric vehicles on its delivery vehicle fleet in Germany by 2016, including 50 compact scooters developed in partnership with StreetScooter and RWTH Aachen University. Deutsche Post DHL’s German fleet is one of the largest in the country.