New York City and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities, Inc. (NYCLHVCC) is proud to honor DHL Express with the 2011 Green Vanguard Award for their commitment to implementing green technologies and efficiencies into their delivery fleet. The prestigious award is granted annually by the NYCLHVCC to one private, public or government entity, individual or group of people that have been innovative, forward thinking and creative in their approach to green initiatives within the alternative fuel and vehicle technology sector.

'The Green Vanguard award is awarded to individuals or companies that break barriers and showcase to others how to use alternative fuels and technologies, and how to do it well,' said Christina Ficicchia, Executive Director of NYCLHVCC. 'DHL Express is showing the industry how switching to a greener and cleaner technology can be done effectively, bettering the lives of its employees, customers and the communities that DHL Express serves.'

In September 2011, DHL completed its deployment of a fully green fleet of pickup and delivery vehicles in Manhattan. This fleet includes 30 battery-powered electric vans and 50 hybrid trucks and enables DHL to serve customers via sustainable solutions and improved resource efficiency by cutting down fossil fuel use, and in combination, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 50 percent each year in comparison to conventional vehicles in New York City. This was done without the assistance of public funds, and reflects the company's corporate GoGreen strategy and commitment to reducing its carbon emissions. Under the motto 'Living Responsibility', DHL focuses its corporate responsibility on the topics protecting the environment (GoGreen), delivering help (GoHelp) and championing education (GoTeach).

'We're pleased to be recognized for our environmental stewardship by the New York City and Lower Hudson Valley Green Communities, Inc., as our investment in these new green vehicles supports a more energy-efficient, low-emissions economy, and helps enhance the environment for New Yorkers,' said Karsten Aufgebauer, Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Northeast U.S., DHL Express. .

The two types of green vehicles being used in New York City by DHL Express were manufactured in the U.S. by Azure Dynamics, a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric commercial vehicles. Ford Motor Co. has produced the chassis for these vehicles. The Balance Hybrid Electric vehicle components combine Azure's hybrid powertrain with a Ford E450 chassis. By converting DHL's existing Ford E450s into hybrids, the vehicle's fuel economy has improved by up to 40 percent while emissions are reduced by about 30 percent. Azure also integrated its Force Drive electric powertrain into new Ford Transit Connect vans. Using an advanced lithium-ion battery, the van can achieve a range of up to 60-80 miles on a single charge and can be recharged overnight. The Transit Connect Electric is virtually silent, thus reducing exterior and interior noise, and has zero tailpipe emissions.