DHL Plans Expanding Its Electric Fleet From 41% to 66% by 2030

DHL, a global logistics and shipping company known for express delivery, freight forwarding, and supply chain management, announced plans to dramatically increase its fleet electrification.

DHL is currently one of the world’s largest operators of electric delivery vehicles (EVs), with 39,000 EVs in pickup and delivery services, representing more than 41% of its fleet. The company plans to raise that to 66% by 2030, with new electric trucks and light commercial vehicles to be added across all markets. Australia’s Fleet EV News reported the impressive goals on October 28, 2025.

At the recent Mobility Live 2025 event in Sydney, Australia, Toby Groom, Global Head of EV Logistics Solutions at DHL, spoke about how one of the world’s largest logistics companies is driving smart, deep, science-based cuts in emissions across its global operations, and why collaboration is the only way to reach net zero, to fight global human-caused climate change.

“Our emissions peaked in 2021,” Groom said. “If we want to hit these targets coming down from that 2021 number, we need to reduce our emissions significantly — and we have to have targeted measures to do that. This is not a ‘we’ll be okay near the end of the decade.’ This is now.”

For DHL to reach its emissions targets, that means cutting emissions from 40 to 29 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2030, in order to stay aligned with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements. The company’s decarbonization plan targets its largest sources of emissions. Those are air freight, road transport, and facilities. Therefore, the company is investing heavily in technology, renewable energy, and sustainable fuels.

“We’ve doubled our electric vehicle fleet between 2021 and 2024,” said Groom. “But this isn’t just about mature markets — we’re rolling out electric vehicles globally. We need structurally sound energy systems to support them, powered by renewable sources, so we’re not shifting emissions from one scope to another.”

Groom acknowledged that electric truck adoption remains challenging due to cost and range, but included that fleet electrification is still evolving.

“An electric truck is still two to three times the price of a diesel truck,” Groom said. “Right now, there’s still a premium — but that’s early in the evolution.”

DHL’s Overall Decarbonization Efforts and Goals

DHL is accelerating its path toward full decarbonization, focusing heavily on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), since air freight makes up 68% of its total emissions. Between 2020 and 2024, the company used 188,000 tonnes of SAF and plans to double that in 2025. SAF now represents 3.5% of DHL’s total jet fuel mix, though the company already purchases nearly 10% of the world’s supply. Limited availability and high costs remain key barriers, prompting DHL to partner with fuel producers like Neste and Shell to scale production and advocate for stronger policy support.

Beyond aviation, all new DHL buildings are designed to be carbon neutral, incorporating solar power, heat pumps, automation, and energy-efficient systems. The company also operates EV Centres of Excellence, including three in Australia, to support fleet electrification, battery recycling, and circular economy models.

Customer demand is driving DHL’s sustainability momentum. Rather than relying on carbon offsets, DHL focuses on “insetting,” directly reducing emissions within its operations. Its GoGreen Plus low-emission transport services are growing by 54% annually, particularly among small and medium businesses.

Looking to 2050, DHL aims to decarbonize all transport modes. Aviation will evolve from SAF to hydrogen and battery-electric aircraft, with early electric flight trials already underway in the U.S. Shipping will depend on biofuels, methanol, and ammonia, though regulatory approval remains a hurdle.

With 39 million square meters of facilities and projected energy needs of 2.5 terawatt-hours by 2030, DHL acknowledges the scale of the challenge. The company stresses that collaboration among private firms, governments, and infrastructure providers is essential to achieving global decarbonization.

Electric Fleets Are Saving Fleet Managers Money Right Now

Electric fleets are saving fleet managers money right now for several key reasons tied to lower operating costs, reduced maintenance, and growing financial incentives.

First, electricity is significantly cheaper and more stable in price than gasoline or diesel. Fleet operators can save 40 to 70 percent on “fuel” costs by charging vehicles, especially when using smart charging systems or off-peak electricity rates. As energy prices fluctuate less than oil, fleet budgets also become more predictable, helping companies plan long-term savings.

Second, electric vehicles (EVs) have far fewer moving parts than combustion engines. They do not require oil changes, exhaust system repairs, or transmission maintenance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EV maintenance costs can be 30 to 40 percent lower per mile. For large fleets, this translates into major annual savings and fewer downtime hours.

Third, EVs are proving to be more efficient in urban and delivery settings, where stop-and-go traffic allows for regenerative braking and energy recovery. Electric vans and trucks perform better in these conditions, consuming less energy per mile than fuel-based counterparts.

Incentives and policy support are also making adoption more affordable. Federal and state programs, such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, offer tax credits, grants, and utility rebates for both vehicles and charging infrastructure. These programs can reduce upfront costs by tens of thousands of dollars per vehicle.

Finally, fleet electrification is becoming a business advantage. Companies benefit from lower total cost of ownership, improved ESG performance, and access to contracts requiring low-emission operations. With battery prices dropping and more electric models entering the market, the economic case for switching to EV fleets is no longer about the future, it is already paying off today.

Harbinger Motors, A Leading Solution for EV Delivery Fleets

Harbinger Motors is a California-based electric vehicle manufacturer, that focuses on medium-duty commercial vehicles such as delivery vans, box trucks, RVs, and emergency response vehicles. Unlike most EV OEMs, Harbinger builds its own chassis, drivetrain, and battery systems in-house to achieve cost parity with traditional diesel and gas vehicles.

Harbinger’s all-electric chassis platform is designed for upfit flexibility, allowing fleet operators to adapt the vehicles for a wide range of uses. The company recently partnered with Panasonic Energy to supply high-density lithium-ion battery cells and has launched a plug-in hybrid version offering up to 500 miles of range for routes that require extended driving.

For fleet managers, Harbinger’s technology represents a practical path to electrification in the medium-duty segment, which has been slower to transition compared to light-duty fleets. Its vertically integrated approach promises lower total cost of ownership, reduced maintenance, and scalable production. The company’s focus on American-made components, flexible configurations, and partnerships with established brands like THOR Industries strengthens its credibility in a market traditionally dominated by legacy automakers.

While Harbinger is still ramping up production and building its service network, its combination of cost efficiency, innovative design, and readiness for fleet applications positions it as a notable new player in commercial EV manufacturing.