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
“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.”
“As electrification accelerates, our customers need to move high-value battery shipments quickly, safely and in full compliance with dangerous goods regulations,” said Christopher Ong, Managing Director Singapore and New Energy Board Member for Express. “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.
“The energy transition is creating entirely new trade corridors and supply chain patterns,” said Hendrik Venter, Global CEO, DHL Supply Chain. “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.”
These facilities dedicated to battery logistics combine specialized warehousing with technical services such as battery diagnostics, testing, charging, conditioning, repair, reverse logistics, and recycling preparation. In Halle, Germany, DHL recently made 13,000 square meters of battery-ready warehouse space available to support growing customer demand. In Hungary, an additional specialized battery logistics facility is being prepared and is expected to become operational in 2027.
Many locations also integrate transportation, customs and cross-border logistics services, creating end-to-end solutions for battery manufacturers, automotive companies, and energy providers. Battery logistics is also becoming a key enabler of mining electrification and critical mineral value chains, supporting both resource extraction and decarbonization goals.
As battery and energy storage supply chains become more complex, customers increasingly seek a single partner capable of managing multiple stages of the value chain. For example, regulatory requirements are becoming more detailed at national and local levels, making documentation, dangerous goods management and customs compliance and classification critical competitiveness factors.
Supporting large-scale energy storage and infrastructure projects
Beyond battery manufacturing and automotive applications, DHL is increasingly supporting the deployment of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), grid infrastructure and renewable energy projects, where specialized project logistics and heavy-lift capabilities are critical. In the first half of 2026, DHL delivered more than 1,100 BESS units worldwide.
“Electrification is creating logistics requirements that range from global battery supply chains to the deployment of grid-scale energy infrastructure. Through DHL Global Forwarding and its DHL Industrial Projects unit, we combine international freight expertise, dangerous goods compliance, project logistics and heavy-lift execution into a single solution. Whether moving battery materials across continents or delivering energy storage systems to remote project sites, we help customers accelerate the energy transition,” said Martyn Lawns, CEO of DHL Industrial Projects and Senior Vice President of Growth for New Energy at DHL Group.
New Energy is one of DHL Group's designated growth sectors under Strategy 2030. Through its DHL New Energy Logistics sector brand, the Group is developing end-to-end logistics solutions across eight segments: wind, solar, EVs and batteries, Battery Energy Storage Systems, EV charging, grid infrastructure, hydrogen and alternative fuels. The Group is investing in capabilities across these segments worldwide. DHL aims to grow its New Energy business to €3 billion by 2030, supported by rising investment in electrification, renewable energy, energy storage, and resilient energy infrastructure.
