Scania and DHL Group have unveiled plans for an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV), integrating battery power with a fuel-powered range extender to enhance operational flexibility. The truck, set for deployment in February 2025, will be used for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg, DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division announced.
The EREV is designed as a transitional solution, enabling DHL to operate on 80–90% renewable electricity while utilizing a fuel-powered generator when necessary. The hybrid approach addresses charging infrastructure limitations while reducing carbon emissions.
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“The future is electric, but perfect must not be the enemy of good as we are getting there,” said Scania CEO Christian Levin, emphasizing the role of transitional technologies. DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer called the vehicle a “sensible, practical solution that can make an immediate contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport short-term.”
The truck features a 230 kW electric engine, peaking at 295 kW, and a 416 kWh battery, supplemented by a 120 kW gasoline generator. Initially designed for petrol, the generator can later switch to diesel or hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The vehicle has a range of 650–800 km and a cargo capacity of approximately 1,000 parcels, with a maximum weight of 40 metric tons.
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Scania and DHL have urged policymakers to support such interim solutions in emissions regulations, arguing they can help accelerate the decarbonization of freight transport without waiting for a fully developed charging network.