DHL Freight Introduces Electric Trucks from Mercedes-Benz for Sustainable Transport
DHL Freight has taken a significant step towards sustainability by putting into service its first fully electric tractor-trailers from Mercedes-Benz Trucks in early April. The eActros 300 vehicles are now operating at the Koblenz and Hagen sites for delivery and distribution transport. One of the trucks stationed in Hagen is facilitating sustainable transport between the DHL branch and the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kassel, while the other truck is making carbon-free deliveries to customers in the Koblenz area. These heavy battery electric tractor-trailers, with a maximum weight of 19 metric tons, mark a milestone for DHL Freight in Germany.
This move is in line with DHL’s sustainability strategy, aiming to increase the share of electric vehicles in the delivery fleet to 60% and sustainable fuels within the DHL Group to more than 30%. Dr. Thomas Vogel, CEO of DHL Freight for DACH, UK & IE, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Mercedes-Benz Trucks and the joint effort to achieve sustainability goals through innovative technology.
The eActros 300 tractor-trailers are powered by two electric engines with a peak output of up to 400 kW, providing a range of approximately 220 kilometers. The charging time varies depending on the infrastructure, with the battery being able to recharge from 20% to 80% in about one hour and 15 minutes at a charging capacity of up to 160 kW.
Oliver Berger, network strategy and sustainability manager in Inbound Logistics at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, highlighted the versatility of the eActros 300 in regional distribution transport, making local road freight transport carbon-free in delivery operations.
In its pursuit of sustainable road freight transport, DHL is testing and implementing various technological solutions, including the use of hydrogen trucks from manufacturers like Paul Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH. The objective is not only to find the right engine mix but also to drive the industry towards a more sustainable future.
