DHL Freight deploys SuperPanther electric truck in European operations
The battery-electric heavy-duty vehicle has entered regular commercial service in the Netherlands, supporting domestic and cross-border freight movements.
DHL Freight has introduced the first Europe-built SuperPanther eTopas 600 electric heavy-duty truck into regular commercial operations in its Dutch transport network.
The vehicle has been operating since September 2026, following a series of real-world trials conducted as part of the company’s cooperation with Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer SuperPanther.
According to DHL Freight’s announcement on 14 October, the truck is being used for domestic freight movements within the Netherlands and cross-border transport services to Belgium.
Unlike vehicles assigned to fixed shuttle routes, the eTopas 600 is deployed across different transport routes and terminals according to operational requirements.
Electric truck enters regular freight operations
The SuperPanther eTopas 600 offers a stated driving range of up to 500 kilometres per battery charge and currently covers approximately 2,000 kilometres per week within DHL Freight’s network.
The company is using the vehicle to evaluate how battery-electric heavy-duty trucks can be integrated into existing transport operations without being restricted to dedicated routes.
DHL Freight said initial operational experience has been positive, with the truck meeting the requirements of its assigned transport activities.
The deployment follows an earlier testing programme in Austria, where the vehicle covered approximately 1,900 kilometres during a two-week trial in spring 2026.
The first Europe-built eTopas 600 was completed in July 2026 before entering commercial service in the Netherlands two months later.
DHL Freight plans further electric fleet expansion
The deployment forms part of a wider cooperation between DHL Freight and SuperPanther, which began with a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2024.
The companies have also expanded their collaboration into autonomous driving, signing a separate memorandum of understanding at IAA Transportation in Hanover to examine the technology under real-world operating conditions.
DHL Freight is now considering broader deployment of battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles across its network.
Heidi van Eldik, CEO of DHL Freight Netherlands & Belgium, said the company plans to add approximately 40 electric trucks to its fleet over the coming months.
The announcement did not specify the manufacturers, delivery schedule or technical specifications of those additional vehicles.
DHL Freight currently operates approximately 1,700 vehicles described by the company as emissions-reduced, covering different vehicle types and propulsion technologies.
The introduction of the SuperPanther eTopas 600 supports DHL Group’s wider objective of achieving net-zero emissions across its logistics operations by 2050.
