German infrastructure investor Palladio Partners is making a substantial investment in electric truck rental company Hylane, acquiring majority voting rights in key areas as part of a capital increase aimed at accelerating the rollout of zero-emission commercial vehicles.
Hylane said it has signed an agreement with DEVK, its founding shareholder, and Palladio Partners, transforming the company into a joint venture. DEVK has owned 100% of Hylane since its establishment in 2021. Financial terms of the transaction and the resulting ownership structure were not disclosed, though Palladio said it plans to invest a triple-digit million-euro amount over the coming years to support Hylane’s growth.
See also: DHL Deploys First Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Trucks Via Hylane, Expands Order
The funding will be used to significantly expand Hylane’s fleet of zero-emission trucks. Originally focused on hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, the company has broadened its offering to include battery-electric trucks, such as the eActros 600 from Daimler Truck, alongside vehicles supplied by MAN, Hyundai, and Iveco. Its customers include logistics groups such as DHL, DB Schenker, DSV, and Hermes, as well as industrial and retail companies including Bosch, REWE, and Lidl.
“With Palladio Partners’ investment, we have reached an important milestone, which makes my departure easier,” said Bernd Zens, one of Hylane’s three managing directors, who will leave the executive team by the end of 2025 by mutual agreement. “I wish Hylane continued success on its chosen path and remain convinced of the potential of zero-emission mobility.” Hylane said its management will be led going forward by Sara Schiffer and Maximilian Draxler, who joined the company earlier this year.
See also: Germany’s Hylane Names Maximilian Draxler as New Managing Director
Palladio Partners said the investment aligns with its strategy of supporting the sustainable transformation of the economy through infrastructure assets. “Hylane makes an important contribution to the transformation of the transport sector and thus to achieving Germany’s climate goals with its zero-emission fleet,” said Steffen Reeser, partner at Palladio Partners. “Our stake in Hylane is therefore a highly fitting addition to our German direct investment portfolio.”
DEVK said the partnership comes as demand for battery-electric trucks accelerates. “The technological leap in battery-electric trucks is rapidly driving up customer demand—the market is booming,” said Jesko Mayer-Wegelin of DEVK. He added that Palladio brings long-term capital as well as expertise in German infrastructure and industrial networks to support Hylane’s expansion.