DHL is expanding its global battery logistics network to support the rapid growth of the electrified value chain, spanning electric mobility, battery manufacturing, industrial equipment, and energy storage systems.
Combining capabilities across DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express, the company is building an integrated network of EV (electric vehicle) and Battery Centers of Excellence that connects manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, aftermarket, and battery lifecycle services across key markets worldwide.
The network today already connects more than 20 sites globally, with further expansion planned.
Growing demand for specialized battery logistics
Demand for electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems and renewable energy solutions is creating new supply chains that require specialized handling, regulatory expertise and global coordination.
As electrification expands beyond passenger vehicles into industrial equipment, mining applications and energy infrastructure, logistics requirements are becoming increasingly complex, with many battery systems weighing over 50 tonnes.
These shifts are driving demand for advanced battery logistics capabilities across all regions, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.
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Francisco Milián, Head of Inbound to Manufacturing, DHL Supply Chain EMEA and member of the DHL New Energy Board said: "Battery logistics is fundamentally different from traditional supply chains.
"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."
Christopher Ong, Managing Director Singapore and New Energy Board Member for Express said: "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."
New trade corridors emerge as electrification accelerates
The expansion reflects profound structural changes in global trade flows. While a significant share of battery manufacturing capacity and new energy production is concentrated in Asia, demand continues to grow rapidly across Europe and other regions.
New giga-factories are emerging around the world, creating demand for logistics solutions spanning capital equipment, raw materials, battery chemicals and finished battery products.
Meanwhile, geopolitical uncertainty, energy security concerns and the push for decarbonization are accelerating investment in electrification and renewable energy infrastructure.
DHL is helping customers establish resilient battery trade corridors between manufacturing hubs, emerging gigafactory clusters and energy infrastructure projects worldwide.
Hendrik Venter, Global CEO, DHL Supply Chain said: "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, warehousing all the way to aftermarket and circularity solutions."
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