"In the realm of road transport, where no single alternative drivetechnology has yet emerged as the clear winner, it is crucial forus to maintain a technology-neutral approach and continue testingvarious sustainable solutions. This includes not only batteryelectric trucks but also hydrogen vehicles, which excel in longerdistances due to their impressive range and quick refuelingcapabilities. Our ultimate goal is to determine the optimalcombination of technologies and drive systems to achieve ournet-zero emissions logistics target by 2050," says Dr. ThomasVogel, CEO of DACH, UK & IE DHL Freight.
The two 15.6-ton trucks, with a range of approximately 400km with atrailer and 600km without a trailer, were manufactured by PaulNutzfahrzeuge on behalf of Shell in Vilshofen, Southern Germany.The basis for the first series-produced medium-duty fuel cell truckin Germany is provided by a Mercedes-Benz Atego. The vehicles areoperated by DHL Freight and Post & Parcel Germany through theinnovative Shell Hydrogen Pay-Per-Use platform model. In additionto the vehicle and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, Shell'soffering also covers all necessary services and support during theperiod of use. The trucks are exclusively serviced at the workshopof the Commercial Vehicle Center of Daimler Truck AG in Frechen.With hydrogen trucks, only water vapor comes out of the exhaust. Ifthe hydrogen used is produced with green electricity, the reductionin greenhouse gas emissions can be up to .
For DHL Freight, there are already around 150 vehicles in Germanythat are either carbon emission-free or have significantly reducedgreenhouse gas emissions. These include battery-electric vehiclesfor local transport and bio-CNG and bio-LNG vehicles for long-haultransport. Additional pilot projects involving battery-electricvehicles for long-haul transport or hydrogen-poweredtractor-trailers will be added in 2024.