"While we always emphasize that decarbonizing transport requires the efforts of all players involved, it is something special when customers themselves supply the technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are delighted about the partnership with Mercedes-Benz Trucks, which sees both partners taking another step toward attaining their sustainability targets," says Dr. Thomas Vogel, CEO DACH, UK & IE DHL Freight.

The vehicles are eActros 300 tractor-trailers that are each powered by two electric engines with a peak output of up to 400 kW. The trucks have a range of approximately 220 kilometers and, depending on the charging infrastructure, the battery can be recharged from 20% to 80% in about one hour and 15 minutes at a charging capacity of up to 160 kW. 

"Our fully electric eActros 300 tractor-trailers are specially designed for regional distribution transport and are already capable of performing a wide range of conventional truck operations. We are pleased that the eActros 300 is now also helping to make local road freight transport carbon-free in our own site delivery operations," explains Oliver Berger, network strategy and sustainability manager in Inbound Logistics at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

DHL is testing and implementing various technological solutions as part of its drive towards more sustainable road freight transport, as no drive type so far has conclusively asserted itself, particularly for long distances. In addition to the fully electric tractor-trailers, for example, DHL Freight recently began operating a hydrogen truck from the commercial vehicle maker Paul Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH. The aim is to not just identify the right engine mix, but also influentially drive the transition to more sustainability in industry.