picture: DHL

The shift to electric mobility is well underway, but while electric cars have become commonplace, heavy-duty electric trucks have lagged behind. The primary challenge has been the need for greater range and, most critically, the lack of a well-developed charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles.

Now, Scania and DHL are working on a pragmatic solution.

Bridging the Gap with a Range-Extended Electric Truck

Scania and DHL have jointly developed an electric truck equipped with a fuel-powered generator. This innovation allows logistics companies to transition to battery-electric road transport without having to wait for a fully built-out charging network.

The new truck, which has been deployed by DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division for testing between Berlin and Hamburg, replaces one of its battery packs with a fuel-driven generator. This modification slightly reduces battery range but provides backup energy when charging infrastructure is unavailable. The vehicle offers a potential range of 650–800 kilometers, a significant step toward sustainable long-haul electric trucking.

A Practical Solution for Today’s Infrastructure Challenges

While fully electric trucks remain the ultimate goal, several challenges slow down the transition, including:

• Limited public charging infrastructure
• High costs of securing sufficient depot charging capacity
• Grid limitations and high electricity spot prices

By integrating a range extender, the Scania-DHL truck enables operators to run 80–90% on renewable electricity while ensuring reliability on long-distance routes. This provides an immediate path to reducing CO₂ emissions while policymakers and the industry continue working on large-scale electrification.

Policy Support Needed for Transitional Solutions

DHL and Scania emphasize that EU and national policies should recognize and incentivize such solutions. Proportionate toll reductions based on CO₂ savings could encourage more logistics providers to adopt similar technologies.

“The future is electric, but we cannot let perfection be the enemy of progress,” says Christian Levin, CEO of Scania. “This collaboration with DHL is an example of interim solutions that can help scale up low-carbon heavy transport before the system is fully electrified.”

With initiatives like this, the logistics sector is taking tangible steps toward a greener future—without waiting for the perfect conditions. 🚛⚡

Source: Feb 20, 2025: DHL and Scania to test electric truck with fuel-powered range extender – DHL Group