Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has entered into a strategic partnership with DHL to equip the German logistics giant’s facilities with advanced energy storage solutions. The collaboration will integrate CATL’s stationary storage systems with battery exchange and rapid charging systems, marking a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in logistics operations.
Under the agreement, CATL will supply DHL with liquid-cooled stationary energy storage systems and energy management platforms. In return, DHL has been designated as CATL’s preferred logistics service provider. This partnership builds on a prior letter of intent from 2023, which outlined plans for global collaboration on climate-neutral facilities and fleet electrification. The newly implemented storage solutions aim to optimize energy utilization across DHL’s logistics parks, with integrated battery swapping and fast charging systems enhancing operational efficiency.
See also: CATL Forecasts Up to 20% Increase in 2024 Net Income, Despite Declining Revenue
CATL views the partnership as a springboard for broader innovations in the automotive and energy sectors. “We aim to explore the future of electric vehicles, battery recycling, and end-of-life management while leveraging DHL’s global network of EV Centers of Excellence,” the company stated.
DHL, a leader in logistics electrification, plans to convert 60% of its last-mile delivery vehicles to electric by 2030, equivalent to over 80,000 electric vehicles. As of now, DHL operates approximately 32,400 electric transporters in Germany, a number expected to rise to 37,000 by the end of 2024. The company’s early adoption of electric vehicles through its Streetscooter initiative, later supplemented by electric vans from other manufacturers, has positioned it ahead of its competitors.
See also: CATL and FAW Jiefang Sign Agreement to Support Commercial Vehicle Electrification
Oscar de Bok, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain, highlighted the partnership’s impact: “This collaboration showcases our shared commitment to sustainability. Integrating CATL’s innovative energy solutions into our operations marks a new milestone in sustainable logistics.”
CATL’s Co-President of Sales and Marketing, Libin Tan, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of combining expertise to “facilitate a greener future.”
See also: DHL Partners with Oxa for Successful Autonomous Vehicle Trial at Heathrow Airport
DHL is also expanding its electrification efforts in the truck sector, with plans to deploy ten electric long-haul trucks in Germany this year, covering distances of 250 to 500 kilometers per trip. In addition, electric trucks are already operating in urban centers like Berlin and Hamburg, further underscoring DHL’s leadership in green logistics.
This partnership aligns with both companies’ sustainability goals and underscores the growing convergence of advanced battery technologies and logistics operations in tackling climate challenges.