DHL Supply Chain Germany Sustainability Report: Fleet Electrification as a Cornerstone of Decarbonization
Introduction: Sustainability as Strategic Imperative
DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics specialist within Deutsche Post DHL Group, has embedded sustainability at the core of its corporate strategy. Under the Group’s Strategy 2030, “Green Logistics of Choice” stands alongside financial performance, employee satisfaction, and customer centricity as a fourth strategic pillar. This commitment is underpinned by the ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with science-based interim milestones validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). For DHL Supply Chain Germany, fleet electrification represents one of the most tangible and impactful levers for reducing Scope 1 emissions—the direct greenhouse gas emissions from company-owned vehicles.
The company’s sustainability report for the German operations outlines a clear trajectory: by 2030, DHL aims for 60% electrification of its pick-up and delivery fleet, rising to 80-90% across the entire delivery fleet by the same horizon. These targets are not aspirational statements; they are operational mandates backed by significant capital investment, infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships with vehicle manufacturers and technology suppliers.
The Current State of Electrification in Germany
DHL’s German operations already boast the largest electric delivery fleet in the country, with approximately 35,000 electric vehicles deployed across the Post & Parcel Germany division. This fleet is supported by the company’s proprietary charging and load management system, developed in collaboration with its former subsidiary StreetScooter GmbH and engineering partner IAV. The intelligent system optimizes energy distribution across vehicles, prevents grid load peaks, reduces energy costs, and enables seamless integration of self-generated solar power from DHL’s depot rooftops.
A landmark achievement in 2025 was the integration of 4,900 Ford Pro electric vans—comprising the E-Transit and E-Transit Custom models—into the German fleet. Each E-Transit delivers demonstrable environmental benefits: compared to a comparable diesel-powered van, each vehicle saves approximately 4 tons of CO₂e and 1,200 liters of diesel annually. When multiplied across thousands of vehicles, these savings translate into a reduction of tens of thousands of tons of CO₂e each year.
However, the electrification effort extends beyond last-mile delivery vans. DHL has partnered with Daimler Truck and hylane to deploy 30 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 heavy-duty electric trucks, scheduled for operation between parcel centers across Germany. With over 600 kWh of battery capacity and approximately 500 kilometers of range, the eActros 600 is designed to address the long-haul segment, which accounts for two-thirds of CO₂ emissions from European road freight transport. DHL is also testing electric trucks in regional distribution, including eActros 300 models deployed for parts transport and retail deliveries in Hagen and Koblenz.
The Critical Enabler: Advanced Electric Drive Systems
While vehicle procurement and charging infrastructure receive considerable attention in sustainability reports, the performance, reliability, and efficiency of electric vehicles ultimately depend on the drive systems at their core. Last-mile delivery imposes unique demands on electric powertrains: frequent stop-and-go cycles, high torque requirements at low speeds, thermal challenges in urban environments, and the need for compact, lightweight packaging to maximize payload capacity.
This is where our company’s advanced 96V and 144V drive systems emerge as indispensable enablers of DHL’s electrification targets. These systems are engineered specifically for the rigorous duty cycles of commercial delivery vehicles, offering the power density, thermal management, and operational reliability that DHL’s logistics network demands.
The 96V Platform: Versatility for Urban Delivery
Our 96V drive platform offers two distinct configurations tailored to varying payload and range requirements. The 96V 15/30kW pMSM—a permanent magnet synchronous motor—delivers 170 N.m of torque at 7,000 RPM, with a continuous rating of 15 kW and peak power of 30 kW. This system is ideally suited for lightweight urban delivery vans, where compact dimensions and energy efficiency are paramount. The motor’s high torque at low RPM ensures responsive acceleration in dense city traffic, while its lightweight construction maximizes available payload capacity for parcels and packages.
For heavier-duty applications requiring sustained performance under demanding conditions, the 96V 20/40kW system is available in both air-cooled and water-cooled variants, producing 210 N.m of torque. The air-cooled version offers simplicity and reduced maintenance for standard operating environments, while the water-cooled variant is specifically engineered for stop-and-go urban routes, where frequent acceleration and regenerative braking cycles generate significant heat. Advanced thermal management ensures consistent motor performance, extended service life, and protection against thermal derating—a critical factor for DHL’s tight delivery schedules.
The 144V Platform: Power for Heavy-Duty Applications
For larger vans and light trucks handling heavier payloads—such as DHL’s 2-Mann-Handling subsidiary, which specializes in delivering bulky goods like furniture, appliances, and large-format consumer products—our 144V systems provide superior power and torque. The 144V 25/45kW system delivers 210 N.m of torque, offering the muscle needed for urban freight operations with frequent stops, steep gradients, and heavy loads.
At the top of our product range, the 144V 40/65kW water-cooled system produces 252 N.m of torque, making it suitable for the most demanding delivery applications, including vehicles operating in hilly terrain or those requiring extended peak-power capability for rapid acceleration in highway merging situations. The water-cooling architecture enables sustained high-power operation without performance degradation, directly contributing to the operational uptime that DHL’s logistics network requires. Each of these drive systems is engineered with high efficiency across its operating range, minimizing energy consumption and extending vehicle range—factors that translate directly into reduced operating costs and lower carbon footprints.
Infrastructure and Energy Strategy
As DHL scales its electric fleet, the company is simultaneously building the supporting infrastructure. A partnership with E.ON will equip DHL distribution centers with fast-charging infrastructure, with access extended to DHL service partners. DHL’s electricity demand is projected to increase three- to four-fold as fleet electrification accelerates, necessitating expanded grid connections and renewable energy procurement. Currently, 96.9% of the Group’s electricity is sourced from renewables, ensuring that the environmental benefits of fleet electrification are not offset by carbon-intensive energy generation.
Conclusion: A Roadmap for the Logistics Industry
DHL Supply Chain Germany’s sustainability report presents a clear and actionable roadmap: fleet electrification is not merely an environmental initiative but a competitive advantage. By transitioning its delivery fleet to electric power, DHL reduces operational costs, enhances energy security, and positions itself as the preferred logistics partner for environmentally conscious customers. The success of this transition depends on reliable, high-performance drive systems that deliver the torque, thermal management, and efficiency required for commercial duty cycles. Our 96V and 144V drive platforms—with their proven performance in torque density, thermal resilience, and operational reliability—are playing a central role in enabling DHL to achieve its ambitious sustainability targets, one mile at a time.
