DHL Freight has introduced the SuperPanther eTopas 600 electric truck into regular commercial operations in the Netherlands. The vehicle also serves cross-border routes to Belgium, marking its move from testing to daily freight transport.
The battery-electric heavy-duty truck has been operating since September 2026. It covers around 2,000 kilometers per week and offers a range of up to 500 kilometers on a single charge.
Unlike vehicles assigned to fixed routes, the eTopas 600 operates across different parts of DHL Freight’s network. This allows the company to assess how electric trucks perform under changing transport requirements.
From testing to commercial operations
The deployment follows a series of trials carried out by DHL Freight and SuperPanther. The companies began working together in September 2024, before testing the vehicle in Austria earlier this year.
During a two-week trial in spring 2026, the truck covered approximately 1,900 kilometers. The first European-built eTopas 600 was completed in July and entered commercial service two months later.
According to DHL Freight, initial operating results have been positive, with the truck meeting its planned transport requirements.
“Our experience from daily operations has been positive so far. The vehicle meets the requirements of the planned deployment profiles and achieves high productivity within the network,” said Arjan van Weelden, Carrier & Sustainability Manager at DHL Freight Netherlands.
DHL plans further electric fleet expansion
DHL Freight plans to add around 40 electric trucks to its fleet over the coming months.
The company is using data from the eTopas 600 to assess how battery-electric vehicles can support regular freight operations, including international routes.
“Our customers are looking for practical ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their transport operations,” said Heidi van Eldik, CEO of DHL Freight Netherlands & Belgium.
DHL Freight currently operates around 1,700 vehicles designed to reduce transport emissions. The company is also testing different vehicle technologies as part of DHL Group’s target to achieve net-zero emissions in logistics by 2050.
