Stuttgart, Germany
By Maria Kalamatas | The Logistic News
June 9, 2025 – Section: Land
A new alliance between DHL, Daimler Truck, and hylane GmbH is setting the stage for a major shift in how freight moves across Germany. The three companies have finalized a leasing agreement that will see 30 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks added to DHL’s road fleet by the end of this year.
The fully electric vehicles—designed and built by Daimler—are tailored for long-haul routes, with a battery range of up to 500 kilometers per charge. The partnership reflects growing momentum in Europe’s push to decarbonize heavy transport without sacrificing performance.
“This isn’t a test run,” said Steffen Frankenberg, Vice President at DHL Freight. “These trucks will be out on real routes, handling real freight. It’s a step toward how we see the future of road logistics.”
The trucks will operate across major DHL routes in Germany, benefiting from a combination of in-house charging facilities and access to public charging stations. For DHL, the agreement also sidesteps the capital cost of fleet electrification by turning to hylane’s leasing model.
hylane, a Cologne-based company, specializes in zero-emission transport financing. Its CEO, Anja Reuter, said the move illustrates how logistics providers can take immediate action on emissions without waiting for policy shifts.
Daimler Truck confirmed that the eActros 600 model has already passed extensive real-world trials and is ready for industrial deployment. The company is positioning the truck as a core part of its sustainable mobility lineup.
This cooperation is more than a technical rollout—it’s a signal. As Europe ramps up its climate goals, logistics giants are aligning their strategies not just to meet demand, but to shape it.
✎ Maria Kalamatas
Senior Correspondent – Sustainable Mobility
The Logistic News
