This DHL driver is driving the future

Robert Weiss has been a DHL Freight driver for over a decade, operating out of our terminal on the north side of Cologne, Germany. A picture of calm, he has spent countless early mornings on a busy loading dock preparing his cargo and truck for his daily delivery route. Since March 2024, his routine has taken on a new significance.

That was when Robert was chosen to pilot the terminal’s first electric truck, a Volvo FL 16.7t – the second if you count Paul, the hydrogen truck. For him, it was a moment of pride.

“I was excited when my boss asked me to drive the new e-truck,” he recalls. “It’s a real compliment and a sign that he’s happy with the job I’m doing.”

Although his two daily tours around north Cologne have largely remained the same, Roberts is the first to tell you that the experience is a lot different now. Not only does his brand spanking new, gleaming yellow e-truck stand out, but the quiet hum of the electric motor has added an exciting new dimension to his workday. 

Robert’s workday begins early – at 5:30 a.m. After collecting his paperwork from dispatch, he heads to the loading docks. Nearly all 115 docks at this massive DHL Freight terminal are occupied. People scurry busily about amidst the countless pallets waiting to be loaded onto trucks.

At dock number nine, Robert calmly and carefully identifies his pallets and begins loading his e-truck. Today, his itinerary includes ten stops, most of which are to customers he knows well. Up to this point, his daily routine is the same as it always has been. But that all changes when he hops into the cockpit of his Volvo FL, which is fully charged and ready to go.

The e-truck is a whole new experience for Robert from the moment he turns the ignition key. After ten years behind the wheel of diesel delivery vehicles, it’s strange not to hear the rumble of an engine. Instead, it’s quiet.

At 6:30 a.m., Robert pulls away from the dock and is on the road. Now the only noise is a soft whirr and the hum of the tires against the road, but both are barely audible in the cockpit.

“You don’t hear it because it’s so quiet – that’s also nice inside the truck,” says Robert.

The Volvo FL’s cab feels familiar despite being packed with advanced technology. On closer look, you see what’s different. The dashboard display features a battery indicator rather than a fuel gauge. A wraparound mirror considerably enhances visibility. The e-truck also has an exterior emergency restart button to reboot the truck’s system if there’s a problem.

Robert also appreciates how quickly the e-truck responds. “It’s not only good for the environment, but it’s fun to drive, too,” he says, adding with a laugh: “Sometimes it takes people by surprise when the light turns green, and I leave them behind.” For him, the truck’s performance and the novelty of experiencing something new make it an exciting addition to his daily routine.

Each day is divided into two tours – one delivering goods to his customers and the other picking up their shipments. Robert clearly likes his job – he smiles and jokes around with customers while he unloads pallets and has them sign his scanner to confirm delivery.

“That’s why I enjoy the work,” he says. “When you drive a regular route, you get to know everyone, and you can have some fun with each other. That’s worth a lot.”

Once Robert has made all his deliveries, he returns to the terminal before starting his second tour. He drives about 80 kilometers a day – up to 20,000 per year.

At the end of the workday, Robert is back at the terminal, unloading his shipments, returning pallets, and submitting paperwork. Because the Volvo FL has a range of 180 kilometers when fully charged, he only has to plug it in every other day.

DHL Freight is part of DHL Group’s Global Forwarding, Freight division, specializing in overland road and rail freight. Robert’s electric truck is one of now over 500 vehicles in DHL Freight’s sustainable fleet – and it’s part of a larger decarbonization strategy to reduce CO2 emissions. That plan includes deploying 6,500 heavy-duty zero- or low-emission trucks to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019. Getting these vehicles on the road is one of DHL Freight’s top priorities over the next several years – and an important milestone on the road to achieving zero emissions by 2050.

DHL Freight’s decarbonization strategy aligns perfectly with DHL Group’s broader sustainability efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Getting there will also require new infrastructure, like additional charging stations. DHL Freight is adding more charging stations in Cologne and elsewhere to accommodate more e-vehicles.

Customers and drivers alike are embracing this shift. Following Robert around for a day makes that pretty clear. Drivers who used to insist that e-trucks couldn’t be better than diesel now don’t want to go back. Case in point: Robert has a vacation coming up soon and his colleagues are already lining up to drive his e-truck while he’s gone.

“I hope they take care of my truck,” he says.

It’s only been a few months, but they already make a great team.