German container logistics operator Contargo has taken delivery of 33 battery-electric DAF XD Electric tractor units in Germany, bringing its electric truck fleet to 90. The handover represents one of the largest single deliveries of battery-electric trucks in the country.

The vehicles are being deployed across 15 Contargo sites in Germany and will be integrated into the company’s container transport operations, primarily within combined transport operations linking road, rail and inland waterways. According to the company, the trucks will be introduced progressively into service over the coming weeks.

The company first trialled battery-electric lorries with DAF Trucks in 2019 and is now expanding their use as part of a second phase of deployment.

Of these vehicles, 86 were supported under Germany’s KsNI funding scheme, alongside associated charging infrastructure. The KsNI scheme is Germany’s federal funding programme supporting the purchase of low- and zero-emission commercial vehicles and the associated charging or refuelling infrastructure.

The new vehicles are DAF XD Electric FT 4x2 tractor units, part of DAF’s New Generation electric range. Each truck is equipped with a 350 kW electric motor and five lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs, providing a total installed battery capacity of up to 525 kWh. DAF states that the lorries use lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, which are cobalt- and nickel-free and covered by an eight-year warranty. The manufacturer states that this configuration offers an emissions-free driving range of more than 500 kilometres. All vehicles are fitted with a Sleeper High Cab.

To support its growing electric fleet, Contargo is building a private charging network for battery-electric HGVs. The company plans to operate 90 charging points across 15 locations in Germany, with infrastructure deployment continuing alongside the rollout of the vehicles.

“Already in 2019, we received the first vehicles and tested them in operational use – with the current handover, the circle is closed from testing through to scaling in everyday operations,” said Michael Starke, MD, Contargo Truck Fleet.

Contargo operates a network of container terminals across Germany, France and Switzerland, alongside additional locations in several other European countries. The company has stated that it aims to fully decarbonise its transport activities by 2045.