DHL announces expansion of EV logistics centres

Logistics Company, DHL has announced its expansion of EV logistics centres to manage EV battery logistics. The firm’s goal towards the expansion is to bridge the gap between moving EV battery materials and finished products between manufacturing plants. The EVs have also been expanded to other industries including engineering and manufacturing following increase in demand for battery logistics solutions.

Change of system

“From a logistics perspective, large EV batteries were challenging to handle because they were classified as dangerous and volatile cargo. For instances in air freight, EV batteries are classified as United Nations Class involves a lot of complicated aspects to manage, as such items are sensitive to temperature, humidity and collisions. This comes down to very complex logistics solutions,” said VP Fabio Sacchi.

“The supply chain starts with suppliers of raw materials, such as cobalt, copper, nickel and lithium. The battery manufacturers then use those raw materials to make up battery packs for use in EVs. EV batteries must be managed from cradle to grave. [In this regard, DHL] can offer a complete logistics solution, including the recycling and recovery of cobalt as an example. As such, because EV batteries need to be recycled to remove valuable materials at the end of their product lives, EV batteries also need to be returned to a recycling company. The company’s solution of nearshoring EV batteries and components thereof resulted in efficient battery delivery without having to invest in the setup of a logistics management business,” Sacchi added.