DHL Freight, one of the leading providers of road freight transport, and Volvo Trucks have partnered to accelerate heavy electric trucks for regional transport in Europe. The combined effort marks another important step towards “climate neutral” transport solutions.
DHL is actively working, together with Volvo Trucks, to reduce its ecological footprint, with sustainability being an integral part of its strategy.
The primary use of electric trucks has focused on the shortest distances within cities and urban areas. Now DHL Freight and Volvo Trucks have started a project focused on heavy long-haul transport.
The cooperation includes world-exclusive testing of a fully electric Volvo FH truck with gross combined weights of up to 60 tonnes. Starting in March, the test truck will operate between two DHL Freight logistics terminals in Sweden at approximately 93 miles.
During the test, Volvo and DHL will gain significant experience and information on setting up and operating a suitable charging infrastructure. The knowledge gathered will help optimize the right balance between distance used, load weight, and load points in daily road freight operations.
Volvo Trucks is driving the necessary shift towards fossil-fuel-free transport. The aim is to accelerate the transition to electrification and zero emissions from heavy transport to be as smooth and efficient as possible.
This is done by considering all aspects of the ecosystem for electrification, including charging, route planning, vehicles, service, and other support.
DHL Freight is actively driving various fossil fuel-free technology and sustainability projects. This has introduced a climate-focused shipping program in Sweden.
Customers using the program pay a fixed surcharge for each package or pallet shipped. The revenue generated from the surcharges is fully invested in clean technologies within the Swedish network.
Today, Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric trucks for urban distribution are a reality and are in series production. DHL Supply Chain recently commissioned a new Volvo FL Electric in London.
This movement has introduced the first fully electric Volvo truck specially designed for urban distribution in the UK.