DHL Group and heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania have been trialing a new variety of hybrid truck, known as the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) and announced the results at the recent International Transport Forum in Leipzig.
Designed to bridge the gap between current electric truck limitations and the need for long-distance logistics, the EREV combines an electric drivetrain with a fuel-powered backup generator that recharges the battery when needed. As such, it differs from conventional hybrids, in that the generator does not drive the wheels directly.
The EREV prototype features a 416 kWh battery, a 120 kW range extender, and a 230 kW electric motor, with the next generation expected to include a 520 kWh battery. The 40-ton truck can carry around 1,000 parcels and tow a full trailer.
Over a 100 day testing period, the truck covered early 22,000km along a 250km route between DHL parcel centers in Berlin and Hamburg.
For 91.9% of the time it operated on grid-charged electric power. The range extender was activated for the remining 8.1% of the distance covered, being used on colder days or when encountering charging issues such as charge stations being occupied or out of order.
The test found there was a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to a conventional diesel truck, with DHL estimating that the EREV saved around 16 metric tons of CO₂e during the testing period. They believe future reductions could be even greater by using renewable fuels in the range extender.
Despite its environmental benefits, DHL notes that current EU emissions and tolling frameworks don’t yet account for vehicles like the EREV. The company is urging policymakers to introduce a new emissions class that reflects actual greenhouse gas performance, allowing vehicles to be taxed and rated based on their real-world emissions.
DHL point out that whether they ultimately acquire more EREV units will depend on the vehicle being recognised in legislation across Europe.
Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group, said: ‘We all, businesses, politics, and society – want fewer emissions through increased e-mobility in freight transport. At the same time, all experts know that the transition to fully electric trucks will take many years, primarily because the grid and charging infrastructure are inadequate.
But we should not be forced to wait. We need pragmatic solutions like the EREV and quick political decisions to enable such bridging technologies. We want to decarbonise the transport sector now and regulation should not hinder but support us to do so.’
Leave a Reply