FRANKFURT: DB Schenker has ordered 1,500 zero emission, 16-ton Volta Trucks with a range up to 200 kms. to deliver goods from European distribution hubs to city centres and urban areas.

The first prototypes will be used by the company at 10 locations in five countries from Spring 2022.

The test results will be incorporated into the serial production of 1,470 vehicles to be built at Volta Trucks manufacturing facility in Steyr, Austria.

“We have many challenges to overcome on the road to carbon neutrality,” said DB Schenker EVP Land Transport Europe Cyrille Bonjean. “The large-scale partnership with Volta Trucks allows us to significantly increase the pace of electrification of our fleet and invest in greener transport solutions, brings us closer again to our goal of carbon neutral logistics.”

The new order adds to an existing book of 2,500 units valued at €600 million. The company says it plans to build four Volta Zero models for European and US markets and expects sales to reach 27,000 units by 2025.

Essa Al-Saleh, Volta Trucks CEO and former head of Agility Global Integrated Logistics commented: “Working with DB Schenker on Europe’s largest full-electric truck order demonstrates the confidence that major freight distributors have in our ability to deliver a world-class zero-emission vehicle on time and to the highest possible quality.”

The two companies will also develop specifications for a 12-ton Volta Zero variant, conducting site testing to accelerate vehicle deployment of vehicles and train drivers.

Last year supply chain services provider Agility became an investor in Volta Trucks, participating in a Series B investment round of €37 million that also included Luxor Capital, Proterra and original seed investor Byggmästare Anders J Ahlström.

In a related development, DHL Express has begun operating a hydrogen-powered truck covering 200 kms. a day throughout the Benelux on behalf of Apple. The company says the goal is to develop heavy-duty vehicles powered by hydrogen for logistics operations in different regions.