DHL Supply Chain has taken a bold step in its path to greener logistics: it has launched pilot programmes deploying hydrogen-powered, fuel-cell trucks in multiple regions, reinforcing its firm commitment to sustainability under the umbrella of Strategy 2030.
Hydrogen Trucks Hit the Road in Japan and the USA
In August 2025, DHL Supply Chain Japan became the first DHL entity in the Asia-Pacific region to trial hydrogen-fuel-cell (FC) trucks, thanks to a government-supported initiative for a decarbonised transport system. With a range of around 260 km per refuel, these trucks are currently serving Fujitsu’s internal logistics routes, with further deployments planned later in the year.
Meanwhile, in the United States, DHL’s Supply Chain and Diageo North America unveiled two Class 8 Nikola hydrogen fuel-cell trucks in Illinois. These vehicles offer up to 800 km on a single fill, slash carbon emissions by roughly 80 per cent compared to diesel, and are expected to reduce emissions by about 100 tonnes annually – equivalent to taking 20 average passenger cars off the road.
Strategy 2030: Sustainable Fuels and Green Growth
These hydrogen initiatives align squarely with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which sets a target of 30 per cent of energy across air, sea, and road transport to be sourced from sustainable fuels by 2030. The strategy, rooted in its ambition to be the “Green Logistics of Choice” – also promotes a new energy growth segment encompassing wind, solar, EVs and batteries, energy storage systems, EV charging infrastructure, grid solutions, alternative fuels and hydrogen.
Complementing the hydrogen and EV push, DHL aims to raise the share of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to 30 per cent in its Express and Global Forwarding businesses by 2030.
A SAF Deal with Cathay: Sustainability Beyond Land
In August 2025, DHL Express struck a new partnership with the Cathay Group, under which Cathay will supply DHLwith 2,400 tonnes of SAF to power international Air Hong Kong cargo flights out of Incheon, Narita and Changiairports. This deal is projected to cut lifecycle emissions by approximately 7,190 tonnes, the carbon equivalent of over 100 Hong Kong–Singapore freighter flights.
This is a strategic extension of Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme, which in 2024 enabled over 6,000 tonnes of SAF usage with 16 partners. DHL’s agreement builds on its existing long-term SAF contracts with fuel producers such as Neste, bp, World Energy, and Cosmo in Japan.
The Economic Case: Why Green Pays
DHL’s green pivot, encompassing hydrogen, SAF, biofuels, and electrification, carries clear economic advantages:
- Operational Cost Savings: Fossil-free fuelling (like hydrogen) and electric vehicles offer long-term savings through lower maintenance and fuel costs, as well as cleaner operations.
- Regulatory Preparedness: As emissions standards tighten globally, early investment in low-carbon technologies positions DHL to manage compliance costs and unlock subsidies.
- Competitive Edge: Offering sustainable logistics solutions attracts environmentally conscious clients, especially in sectors with their own ambitious ESG mandates.
- Scale Incentives: Partnerships like the one with Cathay help scale supply chains for SAF and hydrogen, which in turn can drive down unit costs and enhance availability.
- Carbon-cost Mitigation: Reducing emissions – estimated in the tens of thousands of tonnes via these initiatives, lowers exposure to future carbon pricing or cap-and-trade schemes.
- Technological Leadership: Deploying cutting-edge vehicles (fuel-cell trucks) and fuels (SAF) enables DHL to build logistics know-how that rivals will struggle to replicate.
DHL Supply Chain’s bold hydrogen-powered pilot schemes, alongside its SAF deal with Cathay, clearly illustrate its strategic direction under Strategy 2030: to decarbonise logistics by diversifying energy sources, from renewables and battery EVs to hydrogen and SAF, and gain economic momentum through sustainable innovation.
This green transition is more than environmental virtue; it’s a business advantage poised to deliver cost savings, regulatory resilience, customer loyalty, and long-term value for DHL and its clients.
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