DHL Freight recently introduced a hydrogen-powered truck manufactured by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH for a one-year trial run at their Cologne site in Germany.
This truck, named the Paul Hydrogen Power-Truck, is based on the Mercedes-Benz Atego model and will be utilized for both distribution and line hauls.
Notably, this marks DHL Group’s second hydrogen truck in Germany, with another already in operation for the Post & Parcel Germany division at the Cologne West facility. These initiatives align with the company’s commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by their aim to reduce emissions to below 29 million tons by 2030.
“In the realm of road transport, where no single alternative drive technology has yet emerged as the clear winner, it is crucial for us to maintain a technology-neutral approach and continue testing various sustainable solutions. This includes not only battery electric trucks but also hydrogen vehicles, which excel in longer distances due to their impressive range and quick refuelling capabilities. Our ultimate goal is to determine the optimal combination of technologies and drive systems to achieve our net-zero emissions logistics target by 2050,” commented Dr. Thomas Vogel, CEO of DACH, UK & IE DHL Freight.
According to a statement, two trucks weighing 15.6 tons each, boasting a range of approximately 400km with a trailer and 600km without, were crafted by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge in Vilshofen, Southern Germany, under Shell’s commission. These medium-duty fuel cell trucks, the first of their kind in Germany, are built upon the Mercedes-Benz Atego platform.
Also, DHL Freight and Post & Parcel Germany operate these vehicles under the innovative Shell Hydrogen Pay-Per-Use platform model. Shell’s comprehensive offering includes not only the vehicles and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure but also all necessary services and support throughout their utilization period. Maintenance for these trucks is exclusively handled at the Commercial Vehicle Center of Daimler Truck AG in Frechen. The use of hydrogen trucks results in only water vapour emissions from the exhaust, and if the hydrogen is produced using green electricity, greenhouse gas emissions can be slashed by up to 100%.
DHL Freight already boasts around 150 vehicles in Germany that are either emission-free or have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This fleet includes battery-electric vehicles for local transport and bio-CNG and bio-LNG vehicles for long-haul journeys. Further pilot projects involving battery-electric vehicles for long-haul transport or hydrogen-powered tractor-trailers are anticipated to commence in 2024.
