DHL makes major electric order

Global logistics provider DHL Group has announced it will obtain 30 electric trucks from Daimler Truck in a new zero-emissions vehicle partnership.

A signed cooperation between DHL, Daimler Truck and commercial vehicle rental provider hylane GmbH occurred at the transport logistics trade fair in Munich that will see DHL receive 30 electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 models.

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The partnership will see hylane’s ‘transport as a service’ model allow DHL to obtain the 30 electric trucks, meaning it won’t purchase the vehicles. Instead, DHL will be billed based on the actual kilometres driven in the trucks by hylane.

The electric trucks will be used in the post and parcel Germany division for transport between DHL’s parcel centres, with the trucks expected to be delivered by the end of the second quarter of next year.

Hylane will be able to expand its fleet via the order, which has so far focused on fuel cell electric trucks. For all partners, it represents the largest contract for electric trucks in Germany this year.

“We are very pleased with the partnership with hylane and Daimler Truck. This solution provides us with the necessary flexibility to significantly expand our transport fleet with a substantial number of fully electric trucks without a long lead time,” DHL Group post and parcel Germany division COO Marc Hitschfeld says.

“This underscores our commitment to advancing e-mobility in the transport sector and taking further steps toward zero-emission logistics.”

Mercedes-Benz Trucks & FUSO chairman of the management board at Daimler Truck Germany Christian Wilz says the delivery of the electric models is an exciting milestone.

“With the eActros 600, we are bringing a powerful and highly efficient electric truck to the road, specifically designed for the demands of long-distance transport and which can already be operated economically today,” Wilz says.

“We are very pleased with the close partnership with hylane and DHL, as well as the order for 30 vehicles. This is an impressive vote of confidence in our technology – and a clear commitment to change.

“Together, we are making an important contribution to the electrification of long-distance transport, which is responsible for about two-thirds of CO2 emissions in European road freight transport.”