Aichach, 26th September 2025 - Parcel delivery company DPD has put its first battery-electric truck for long-distance transport into service. By the end of the year, the number of electric trucks used for long-distance parcel transport in Germany is set to rise to five, in line with the target planning of DPD's parent company Geopost. Customers are already benefiting from a growing number of emission-free last-mile transport solutions: DPD is continuously expanding its electric fleet for local transport and is gradually replacing diesel vans with fully electric vehicles. The electric truck travels daily between the locations of Aichach in Bavaria and Hörsching in Austria.
This sends a strong signal about the further development of our sustainability strategy
Jan Kerkhoff, Senior Group Manager Corporate Sustainability, DPD Deutschland
“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 behavior 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.”
