Transport as a Service is an increasingly popular model for fleets that are going electric—not only do customers benefit from using an expert to handle their electrification projects, but they are often able to minimize upfront investments and convert capital expenditure into operational expense.

The latest major fleet to go this route is logistics giant DHL, which has agreed to obtain 30 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks from German commercial vehicle rental provider hylane. DHL will not purchase the vehicles—instead, hylane will bill DHL based on the actual kilometers driven.

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is aimed at the long-distance segment, and started customer deliveries in December 2024. Its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack has a capacity of 600 kWh, which delivers a range of around 500 km.

DHL will use the new electric trucks in its Post & Parcel Germany division, for transport between parcel centers. The trucks are expected to be delivered by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

DHL’s fleet already includes 16 electric trucks and 450 CNG trucks in transport, as well as 32,400 electric vans for last-mile delivery. The company operates 10 CNG fueling stations and 41,000 electric charging points.

“This solution provides us with the necessary flexibility to significantly expand our transport fleet with a substantial number of fully electric trucks without a long lead time,” said Marc Hitschfeld, COO of DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division.

Source: Daimler Truck