TNT backs zero-emission cars

By Kim Yoo-chul

TNT Express, a Korean logistics firm, said it will begin using a zero-emission electric vehicle manufactured in China.

The car, which TNT jointly developed with China’s Dongfeng Motor, is powered by lithium-ion batteries and represents the company's efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its business.

The small-sized car needs just two and a half hours to be fully charged and can travel over 120 kilometers before a recharge is required, TNT officials said.

The car is also equipped with advanced computer monitoring systems, and allows the driver to check the levels of power consumption at any time.

"Following a three-month trial period, the cars, manufactured by Dongfeng, are now used by us in China. There is a lot of interest in China about building a greener and safer transport industry," said Kim Li-eun, a TNT spokesman, who said that the company planning to use the electric cars in the European markets.

TNT also plans to send 50 electric vehicles to be used in Britain, the Netherlands and France. By 2012, TNT plans to have 3,000 electric cars in Europe to provide its shipment services.

TNT operates in over 200 countries and employs about 155,000 workers.