To ensure a good working environment in the country’s heat and dust, DHL Express has specially made air-conditioned cabins for drivers in Maruti Eecos, which comprise a majority of its delivery vehicles.

DHL Express, a subsidiary of €59 billion DP DHL Group, has got special Eeco vehicles, designed after discussions with Maruti Suzuki in India, with air-conditioned driver cabins.

“This was designed after DHL Express engaged with Maruti Suzuki a few years ago and got ACs fitted in Eeco’s CNG commercial vehicles meant for cargo,” RS Subramaniam, Senior Vice-President & Managing Director, DHL Express India, told BusinessLine.

DHL Express has a fleet of about 400-odd vehicles in India, of which 80 per cent are Eecos. “Providing ACs are important, as the driver and the courier tend to spend a majority of their time on the roads. This is a part of DHL Express’ move to provide a good work environment,” he added.

The air-conditioned version of Eeco vehicles, used for carrying commercial cargo, are available only on demand, say industry sources.

"Getting ACs fitted into such vehicles cost about ₹15,000 and does not impact negatively on the mileage. This should become a standard for not just all cargo carrying vehicles, such as Eecos, but also other smaller and larger cargo vehicles,” says SP Singh, Senior Fellow, IFTRT, a transport research body.

DHL Express says unlike in other countries where the driver also operates as the delivery person, in India, DHL has a driver and a courier to deliver products.

“The idea is to provide them a good work environment, with the presence of mind to check documents and do a clean job, when the temperature could get to 45 degrees,” says Subramanian.