DHL Drives E-Offensive in Heavy-Duty Transport: Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Launches in the West
Bonn (Germany) - DHL is putting the first battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks on the road. In cooperation with Hylane and Daimler Truck, the logistics company is deploying six vehicles in western Germany, advancing the electrification of its fleet.
Electric Parcel Transport in the West: Kickoff in Dorsten
Germany’s largest parcel service provider, DHL, has put the first six Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks into operation in the West. The battery-electric trucks come from the partnership with commercial vehicle leasing company Hylane and manufacturer Daimler Truck. The vehicles are stationed at the Dorsten parcel center, from where they transport parcels to other parcel centers across the country. Two additional e-trucks will operate from the Hamburg location.
The handover of the vehicles was carried out by Hylane managing directors Dr. Sara Schiffer and Maximilian Draxler to Frank Blümer, Branch Manager Post & Parcel Dorsten. For DHL, the deployment comes at the right time: “The new, low-emission e-trucks directly help us achieve CO2-reduced parcel transport during the busiest season before Christmas,” said Blümer. At the same time, the vehicles send a clear signal of the company’s ambition to further reduce its carbon footprint.
DHL, Hylane, and Daimler Truck had already announced their cooperation at the “Transport Logistic” trade fair in Munich in June. The operational start with the first vehicles now marks the transition from announcement to regular operations. The e-trucks are expected to demonstrate in daily use that battery-electric heavy-duty transport works even in a demanding parcel network.
Large Order Grows to 42 Vehicles – Billing per Kilometer
Originally, DHL had ordered 30 e-trucks. The order has now been expanded to 42 vehicles. The remaining 34 trucks are scheduled for delivery by the end of the second quarter of 2026. This expands DHL’s CO2-reduced truck fleet and demonstrates the company’s commitment to alternative drivetrains in long-haul transport.
A key component of the cooperation is the business model: DHL acquires the vehicles through Hylane’s "Transport as a Service" model. This means that the logistics provider does not buy the trucks but pays based on the kilometers actually driven. Investment and technology risks remain with the lessor.
This has strategic significance for DHL. Marc Hitschfeld, Chief Operations Officer Post & Parcel Germany, stated: “The cooperation with Hylane and Daimler Truck is an important milestone on the way to electrifying our truck fleet.” Sustainability remains a strategic priority for the DHL Group, including in Germany.
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 targets the long-haul segment, which accounts for about two-thirds of CO2 emissions in heavy road freight. With over 600 kWh of battery capacity and around 500 kilometers of range, the vehicle is designed for daily use. DHL integrates the new trucks into an already extensive low-emission fleet with e-trucks, CNG trucks, and its own charging infrastructure. The long-term goal remains clear: net-zero emissions by 2050.
DHL Focuses on CO2-Reduced Fleet
With the 42 ordered e-trucks, DHL is further expanding its low-emission fleet. This already includes 17 e-trucks and 450 CNG trucks in transport, as well as around 35,000 electric vans for last-mile delivery. The fleet is complemented by ten CNG refueling stations and more than 40,000 charging points. By 2050, DHL aims for net-zero emissions, with the share of alternative drivetrains in transport expected to reach around 30% by 2030.
Source: IWR Online, 16 Dec 2025
