Delivery giant DPD is rolling out 341 new Mercedes-Benz eSprinters to support its shift to electric vehicles and bolster its fleet for the peak Christmas season.

The vehicles are being supplied through Mercedes dealer partner eStar as part of a wider fleet agreement. The first vehicles are already entering service, with all vans scheduled to be operational by the end of October.

The investment aligns with DPD’s transition towards lower-emission deliveries across the UK.

A central factor in DPD’s decision was the whole-life value and operational resilience provided by Mercedes-Benz Vans’ aftersales infrastructure. Every eSprinter will be covered by the Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare Complete package, which draws on connected vehicle technology to offer predictive maintenance. The system flags potential mechanical issues before they cause breakdowns, allowing eStar and the wider dealer network to perform preventative maintenance and maximise fleet uptime.

Rob Dawson, head of LCV at DPD UK, said “As we continue to invest in a more sustainable fleet, having the right partners alongside us is just as important as having the right vehicles.

“The eSprinter gives us the capability we need to support lower-emission deliveries, while Mercedes-Benz Vans’ aftersales expertise and nationwide support network will play an important role in keeping our vehicles on the road and our operation moving.”

Dawson also said another major advantage of partnering with eStar and the Mercedes-Benz Vans network was the fact it could mobilise at scale in a tight window.

Steve Bridge, managing director of eStar, commented: “Reliability extends far beyond the vehicle itself. When customers are judging you literally on whether you deliver or not, having as many of your fleet in service, on the road and operational is a higher business priority than ever, especially in the run up to Christmas when there is increased demand.”

He added: “A key part of the relationship with DPD is our CompleteCare package, where we can anticipate problems with vehicles in advance, so we can take preventative action, as opposed to only reacting if or when a vehicle needs attention.

“It means DPD can concentrate on what they do really well, knowing that we have the backs of their drivers and keep the business moving.”