DHL is growing its global battery logistics network in order to support the rapidly growing electrified value chain from electric mobility, through battery production and industrial equipment, to energy storage systems. The company is developing an integrated network of EV and Battery Centers of Excellence that leverages capabilities across DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express, connecting manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, aftermarket and battery lifecycle services across key markets around the world. Already the network links more than 20 sites around the world, and more will be added.
Rising need for specialized battery logistics
The rising demand for electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems and renewable energy solutions is establishing new supply chains requiring special handling, regulatory expertise and global coordination. As electrification moves from passenger vehicles into industrial equipment, mining applications and energy infrastructure, logistics needs are becoming more complex, with many battery systems weighing in at over 50 tonnes.
These changes are creating demand for advanced battery logistics capabilities throughout all regions, such as Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.
As per Francisco Milián, Head of Inbound to Manufacturing, DHL Supply Chain EMEA and member of the DHL New Energy Board, “Battery logistics is fundamentally different from traditional supply chains,” said Francisco Milián, Head of Inbound to Manufacturing, DHL Supply Chain EMEA and member of the DHL New Energy Board. “Customers need specialized capabilities throughout the entire battery lifecycle, from inbound logistics and manufacturing support to storage, distribution, refurbishment, returns and recycling. By building a connected global network that combines supply chain and transport expertise, we can bring these capabilities closer to production sites, energy projects and end markets while ensuring the safety, compliance and responsiveness that battery supply chains require.”
Remarks Christopher Ong, Managing Director Singapore and New Energy Board Member for Express, “As electrification accelerates, our customers need to move high-value battery shipments quickly, safely and in full compliance with dangerous goods regulations. Through our Heavy Weight Express service and dangerous goods expertise across our global air and intra-European road networks, DHL Express is helping high-energy battery shippers move time-critical shipments reliably between production sites, customers, and end markets. We continue to invest in the network capacity, compliance expertise, and specialized equipment that this fast-growing segment demands across Europe and around the world.”
Electrification is on the rise, and new trade corridors are developing
The growth signals deep structural shifts in world trade flows. Much of the battery manufacturing capacity and new energy production is located in Asia, but demand is still growing fast across Europe and elsewhere. And new giga-factories are being built all over the world, creating a demand for logistics solutions, from capital equipment, raw materials, battery chemicals and finished battery products. Meanwhile, investment in electrification and renewable energy infrastructure is being driven by geopolitical uncertainty, energy security concerns and the quest for decarbonisation. DHL helps customers build resilient battery trade corridors between manufacturing hubs, emerging gigafactory clusters and energy infrastructure projects around the world.
According to Hendrik Venter, Global CEO, DHL Supply Chain, “The energy transition is creating entirely new trade corridors and supply chain patterns. Customers are redesigning global supply chains to support electric mobility, energy storage and renewable energy deployment at scale. As manufacturing, consumption and infrastructure investments evolve across regions, companies need logistics partners capable of connecting markets seamlessly. DHL’s global network and cross-divisional expertise enable us to support customers from component manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing all the way to aftermarket and circularity solutions.”
It is well to be noted that these battery logistics facilities combine specialized warehousing with technical services such as diagnostics, testing, charging, conditioning, repair, reverse logistics, and recycling preparation of batteries. DHL has recently made 13,000 square meters of warehouse space ready for batteries in Halle, Germany, to meet growing customer demand. Another dedicated battery logistics facility is being prepared in Hungary, which is due to go live in 2027.
Many locations also combine transportation, customs and cross-border logistics services to provide end-to-end solutions for battery manufacturers, automotive companies and energy providers. Battery logistics is also growing into a key facilitator when it comes to mining electrification and critical mineral value chains, supporting both the extraction of resources and decarbonisation goals.
As supply chains for batteries and energy storage become more complex, customers are looking for a single partner that can manage multiple stages of the value chain. For example, at national and local levels, regulations are becoming more detailed, making paperwork, dangerous goods management and customs compliance and classification key competitiveness factors.
Facilitating large-scale energy storage and infrastructure projects
In addition to ramping up its global battery logistics network along with battery manufacturing and automotive applications, DHL is increasingly backing the implementation of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems – BESS, grid infrastructure and renewable energy projects where specialized project logistics as well as heavy-lift capabilities are critical. In the H1 of 2026, DHL transported over 1,100 BESS units globally.
As per the CEO of DHL Industrial Projects and Senior Vice President of Growth for New Energy at DHL Group, Martyn Lawns, “the expanding electrification is generating a variety of logistics requirements, from global supply chains for batteries to the deployment of grid-scale energy infrastructure. We integrate international freight expertise, dangerous goods compliance, project logistics and heavy-lift execution under one roof with DHL Global Forwarding and its DHL Industrial Projects unit. From the transportation of battery materials across continents to the delivery of energy storage systems to remote project sites, we enable our customers to speed up the energy transition.”
It is well to be noted that New Energy is one of the identified growth sectors of DHL Group in Strategy 2030. Under its DHL New Energy Logistics sector brand, the Group is creating end-to-end logistics solutions that span 8 segments – wind, solar, EVs and batteries, Battery Energy Storage Systems, EV charging, grid infrastructure, and hydrogen, as well as alternative fuels. The Group is investing in standard capabilities in each of these segments globally. DHL is targeting to increase its New Energy business to EUR3 billion by 2030, driven by increased investment when it comes to electrification, renewable energy, and energy storage, as well as resilient energy infrastructure.
