“This sends a strong signal about the further development of our sustainability strategy,” says Jan Kerkhoff, Senior Group Manager Corporate Sustainability.
“This means we are operating emission-free long-distance transport for the first time – and addressing a particularly CO₂-intensive area.”
Road transport is responsible for around one-fifth of total CO₂ emissions in Germany. Group-wide, CO₂ emissions are to be reduced to net zero by 2040. Every battery-electric truck significantly reduces emissions in long-distance transport.
“Our customers also benefit from this,” says Kerkhoff. “Because the reduction in greenhouse gases in parcel shipping also has a positive effect on their carbon footprint.”
The use of battery-powered trucks is still in the early stages in Germany. The reasons for this are high purchase costs, a charging infrastructure that is still under development, and the reduced payload caused by batteries. Falling operating costs and the expansion of the charging infrastructure are making the technology increasingly competitive. Over the entire service life, the total costs are becoming increasingly similar. This is because electric trucks have lower operating, energy, and maintenance costs and are exempt from tolls until the end of the year. From January 1, 2026, they will only be subject to a quarter of the regular truck toll. With rising diesel prices and falling battery costs, they could even be cheaper in the long term. The manufacturer Daimler-Benz specifies a range of 500 kilometers for the electric truck, which is continuously being tested in real-world operation. Since the driving behaviors differs greatly from that of conventional trucks, drivers receive special instruction, including training on safety measures for the new drive technology.
Sustainability manager Kerkhoff is confident:
“With the first electric truck, we are sending a clear signal for a sustainable future and gaining valuable experience for the further expansion of our electric fleet.”
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About DPD Germany
DPD is one of the leading experts in parcel delivery in Germany and Europe. The company is represented throughout Germany with 81 hubs and depots and an outof-home ecosystem with approximately 10,000 pickup parcel shops and parcel lockers. Around 8,000 employees and 11,000 delivery drivers are on duty for customers every day. DPD transports over 352 million parcels annually in the German parcel market. By 2027, DPD will provide its senders and recipients with access to a total of around 20,000 out-of-home delivery points, consisting of parcel shops and parcel lockers. With innovative technologies, industry-specific solutions (e.g., shipping tires and rims), and a consistent focus on customer requirements, DPD makes European parcel shipping in the B2B and B2C sectors easy, convenient, and flexible.
DPD Germany is part of Geopost, a leading European provider of parcel delivery and e-commerce solutions, which operates in more than 50 countries and offers over 130,000 out-of-home delivery points in Europe. In 2024, Geopost generated sales of €15.8 billion and delivered 2.1 billion parcels worldwide.
