DHL deploys first eight battery-electric trucks From Hylane deal

DHL has put eight Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks from its partnership with commercial vehicle lessor Hylane into operation. These are the first battery-electric trucks rented out by the former pure hydrogen specialist. Simultaneously, DHL has increased its order with Hylane from the original 30 to 42 e-trucks.

CEP provider DHL has stationed the first six Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks from Hylane at its parcel centre in Dorsten, near Düsseldorf in Germany, with two additional vehicles now deployed at the parcel centre in Hamburg. DHL also increased its order with Hylane from the original 30 to 42 battery-electric trucks (BETs). The remaining 34 electric trucks are scheduled for delivery by the end of the second quarter of 2026. Frank Blümer, Branch Manager for Post & Parcel in Dorsten, commented: “The new, low-emission electric trucks are directly supporting our CO₂-reduced parcel transport during the busiest shipping season ahead of Christmas. Moreover, these vehicles demonstrate our serious commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.”

The deal between DHL, Hylane, and Daimler Truck for battery-electric trucks was made public in mid-2025. It marked a strategic shift for the Cologne-based commercial vehicle rental company: until summer, Hylane operated a purely hydrogen-powered fleet of around 100 hydrogen trucks and had positioned itself since its founding in 2021 as a driver of hydrogen mobility in freight transport. However, in June, the truck rental provider expanded its offering to include battery-electric trucks as part of the DHL deal. For Managing Director Sara Schiffer, this was a natural evolution—and above all, ‘not a departure from hydrogen, but a strategic addition.’

Hylane’s business model is based on a “Transport as a Service” approach, meaning DHL does not purchase the vehicles but instead pays Hylane based on the actual kilometres driven (pay-per-use). Schiffer is pleased that the first eActros 600 trucks are now in operation: “The expansion of the initial order to 42 vehicles underscores our strong joint progress towards zero-emission heavy-duty transport and how clearly DHL is setting benchmarks in the transport industry with its decarbonisation goals. With reliable, practical, and cost-effective solutions, we are supporting the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport and are proud to be taking this path together with DHL and Daimler Truck.”

Marc Hitschfeld, Chief Operating Officer of the Post & Parcel Germany division at DHL Group, emphasised: “The cooperation with Hylane and Daimler Truck is an important milestone on our path to electrifying our truck fleet. It clearly shows that we are serious about our pioneering role in e-mobility within the logistics sector.”

The 42 ordered electric trucks will join DHL’s existing fleet of 17 electric trucks and 450 CNG trucks in transport operations, as well as around 35,000 electric vans for last-mile delivery. Additionally, DHL operates charging infrastructure with ten CNG filling stations and over 40,000 charging points. Just last week, DHL began constructing its first dedicated e-truck charging park.

By sourcing eActros 600 units via Hylane, DHL is now embracing a new distribution model. The company highlights the advantages of this approach, noting that Hylane can serve DHL without lengthy lead times.

group.dhl.com, linkedin.com (both in German)