DHL Group and heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania have partnered to develop an electric truck equipped with a fuel-powered generator, allowing for a transition to battery-electric road transport without relying on a fully developed charging network.
While fully electric trucks are the long-term goal for sustainable transport, major challenges include limited charging infrastructure, high costs of ensuring sufficient depot charging capacity during peak seasons, grid strain, and fluctuating electricity prices, especially in winter.
“This is where DHL’s and Scania’s Extended-Range Electric Vehicle comes into play,” said DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer. “The vehicle helps overcome these challenges while allowing DHL to operate on 80-90% renewable electricity.”
DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division is deploying the new e-truck this month (February) for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg, testing its performance in daily operations before expanding the fleet.
The truck replaces one of its battery packs with a fuel-powered generator, reducing battery reliance while providing backup energy when needed.
With a range of 650 to 800 kilometers—depending on test results—the truck can also be refueled at conventional petrol stations if necessary. This compares to the 550-kilometer range of Scania’s most advanced fully electric trucks of similar weight.
“Building a reliable charging network will take time, especially for large-scale logistics operations like DHL’s German parcel network. Instead of waiting, we are taking a pragmatic approach to sustainability, cutting CO₂ emissions by more than 80%,” Meyer added.
Scania CEO Christian Levin emphasized the importance of practical solutions in the transition to electrification. “The future is electric, but we must not let perfection hinder progress.
This vehicle is a step toward decarbonizing heavy transport while the infrastructure catches up. Effective climate action requires policymakers to support such interim solutions while accelerating investment in public charging networks.”
