StreetScooter to discontinue production of electric vans

Against the background of the global economic uncertainties the Deutsche Post DHL Group decided to not further actively pursue the current exploratory talks regarding partnership options for the StreetScooter activities. Instead, StreetScooter will concentrate on the operation of the current fleet of e-vehicles.

“Thanks to our StreetScooter we have one of the biggest electric delivery fleets in the world and have made a significant contribution to the development of e-mobility. We have always said that we do not want to be a car manufacturer. A further scaling of the business without the right partner does not fit our long-term strategic goals. Independent from the decision today, we will further foster the transition of our fleet towards e-mobility”, said Frank Appel. “We are committed to our Mission 2050, which means zero-emission logistics by 2050.”

The company said that it would be taking no new orders henceforth. StreetScooter had been in a manufacturing partnership with Ford, under which the companies had been producing the Ford Transit based Work XL in Cologne. The two companies are expected to hold talks to assess the situation, but as of now, the continuation of production of Work XL remains suspended.

Back in September last year, StreetScooter and Chinese automaker Cherry had signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture to manufacture electric delivery vehicles in China. However, given the current situation, these plans have also been shelved. StreetScooter plans to enter the US markets have also been cancelled.

Basically, eMobility is only one of the many levers for the Deutsche Post DHL Group to make logistics more efficient and thus more sustainable. The Group is therefore working intensively on various levers, such as the involvement in the production of alternative fuels, the optimisation of its routes and energy efficiency in its buildings.

The refocusing of StreetScooter - a change outside of the Group's core businesses - is expected to result in one-off charges of €300-400 million ($333-$444 million) for the current financial year.