Riversimple Movement and DHL Supply Chain have partnered to combine sustainable personal transport with green logistics. 

The Welsh hydrogen vehicle manufacturer and DHL signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this week, with both parties to secure financing to reach volume production of hydrogen vehicles. 

The partnership will focus on a range of sustainability initiatives – in particular focusing on inventory logistics, transportation of goods, fulfilment and component lifetime tracking. 

They will also explore how the hydrogen economy can help DHL and Riversimple contribute to the Paris agreement climate goals and UN Sustainable Development Goals, while designing and trialling sustainable zero emission vehicles. 

Discussions are already underway, with DHL assisting Riversimple in preparation for its first full-scale sustainable manufacturing facility in Wales. 

Mike Bristow, Managing Director, Manufacturing Logistics UKI at DHL Supply Chain, said: “It’s exciting to be partnering with a highly innovative company like Riversimple which has sustainability at the heart of its mission. 

"As the world’s leading logistics company, it is our responsibility to guide the industry to a sustainable future, which is why we’ve recently launched The Sustainability Playbook, and partnering with Riversimple helps us deliver on our own environmental objectives.”

The Powys-based firm aims to start commercial production of its eco coupe, the Rasa, in 2024, and a light goods vehicle the following year. 

It is estimated that each plant would create c.220 direct skilled jobs, making 5000 vehicles per annum, as well as indirect jobs in the supply chain. 

Riversimple recently appointed Gambit Corporate Finance LLP to lead an investment round that aims to raise £180 million over the next three years, providing funding for two Wales-based manufacturing plants. 

Hugo Spowers, Founder and MD of Riversimple said: “DHL is committed to making sustainability a core part of its business and is implementing this through one of the largest partnership networks in the world.  

"We’re very pleased to be collaborating with DHL to help us achieve mass production in the UK in the near term, and hopefully partner with us on a global level as we deliver our goal of systematically eliminating the environmental impact of personal transport.”