In cooperation with start-ups, these bikes are constantly being improved and further developed. The latest generation can carry shipments of up to 200 kilograms safely, quickly and almost emission-free.
Emission-Free by 2030
DB Schenker wants to make its transport activities in European cities emission-free by 2030. The goal is to relieve conurbations of air and noise pollution with the help of intelligent, climate-friendly solutions. To this end, the integrated logistics service provider boosts the use of vehicles powered by electricity or fuel cells, prioritizes the design of sustainable terminals, and maintains a high level of investment in research and development.
As a pioneer of innovative logistics solutions and as the operator of Europe’s biggest land transport network, climate protection has always been a concern for DB Schenker to be viewed in the context of more and more European cities imposing restrictions such as tolls or the banning of diesel vehicles from inner cities
Read on to learn which steps DB Schenker has recently taken in concrete terms!
Download: Sustainability at DB Schenker
Electric trucks, vans and bikes
DB Schenker made a decision to gradually convert its own fleet of distribution vehicles to e-mobility, as part of its commitment to the global climate initiative EV100. All vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons are therefore scheduled to be converted to electric drives or fuel cells by 2030. Half of the vehicles ranging between 3.5 and 7.5 tons are also supposed to be electrically powered by then. To date, the company has already deployed 3,000 trucks with various alternative drive systems across Europe.
DB Schenker operates over 50 e-cargo bikes in cities in France, Germany, Norway and Finland.
E-trucks and e-vans in various cities
This spring, DB Schenker acquired four eCanter trucks, built by the Daimler brand FUSO, for urban distribution in Paris, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. The logistics service provider is also in talks with FUSO about the purchase of further eCanter trucks for additional European markets. E-vans by Fiat, Nissan and MAN are in operation in Paris, Milan and Oslo.
The world’s first fully autonomous e-truck.
The world’s first fully autonomous e-truck was put into operation in the Swedish city of Jönköping. The T-pod, which was manufactured by local start-up Einride, does away with the cab entirely, as it is operated remotely. Sweden’s transport authority has issued a test permit which allows the T-pod to drive on a public road. Further pilot runs in other countries are in the planning stages.
iHub in Berlin
In Berlin, DB Schenker and its partners have been operating electric trucks as part of iHub since last year. The goal of this project is to investigate the integration of these climate-friendly vehicles into the conventional fleets of logisticsservice providers in major European cities.
Energy-efficient terminals and city hubs
DB Schenker’s newest terminals and city hubs throughout Europe are virtually climate-neutral and meet the latest energy efficiency requirements. They are equipped with LED lighting, resource-saving systems for rainwater use, solar panels and automatic living space ventilation as well as pressure-controlled fans. The building material used is “green concrete” with a CO2 footprint up to 30 percent lower than standard concrete.
In Oslo, DB Schenker recently commissioned its first low-carbon city distribution center. Thanks to the use of e-cars and e-bikes, the terminal will reduce its CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent. In Poland warehouses have already been built in accordance with the highest ecological standards.