DHL Group and Scania have developed a new electric truck with a fuel-powered generator, enabling the transition to electric transport without waiting for a full charging infrastructure. The new Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) will enable DHL to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 80% by using 80–90% renewable electricity. The truck is equipped with a generator that replaces one of the battery packs, reducing dependence on charging stations. DHL will begin test operations on the route between Berlin and Hamburg in February 2025.
The EREV offers a range of 650 to 800 km, and its generator, which initially runs on gasoline, will be able to use diesel or HVO in the future. The vehicle is equipped with a 230 kW electric motor and a 416 kWh battery, and its payload capacity reaches 40 tonnes, with the ability to transport up to 1,000 parcels. Unlike Scania’s fully electric trucks with a range of 550 km, the EREV can be refueled at conventional petrol stations, ensuring stable operation in conditions of a shortage of charging stations and a high load on the energy grid.
DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer noted that full electrification of freight transport will take time, so the company is choosing a realistic and environmentally friendly transition option. Scania CEO Christian Lewin emphasized that the successful implementation of such solutions requires government support and investment in infrastructure. DHL and Scania have already filed a patent application with the German DPMA, and the project could be an important step towards reducing emissions in freight transport.