Key facts:
- The SuperPanther eTopas 600 has been operating in DHL Freight’s Dutch network since September 2026.
- The tractor handles domestic transport in the Netherlands as well as cross-border routes to Belgium.
- DHL Freight says it covers around 2,000 km a week, while its stated range is up to 500 km.
- The vehicle is not assigned to a single terminal or permanent shuttle connection.
- The eTopas 600 uses a 621 kWh LFP battery and can charge through two CCS2 connectors at a combined rate of up to 660 kW.
- According to the specifications, charging from 20% to 80% takes no more than 38 minutes.
- DHL Freight expects to add around 40 more electric trucks to its fleet in the coming months.
The tractor began scheduled operations in September 2026. Rather than being limited to a predictable link between two terminals, it is being deployed flexibly across the Netherlands and on routes to Belgium. This reflects the varying distances and destinations found in normal fleet operations and provides a more realistic test than a single dedicated corridor. The truck is currently covering about 2,000 km a week, compared with a manufacturer-stated range of up to 500 km.
Austria was the first test market
The Dutch deployment followed an earlier trial in Austria. During two weeks in spring 2026, the same model covered approximately 1,900 km there. In July, a vehicle built on the European production line was delivered to DHL Freight. It was the first unit manufactured in Europe to be supplied to the company.
621 kWh battery and dual CCS2 charging
The tractor is fitted with a 621 kWh LFP battery. Its motor delivers 394 kW of continuous power, while peak output reaches 692 kW.
The vehicle charges through two CCS2 connectors, with a maximum combined power of 660 kW. The manufacturer says this enables the battery to go from 20% to 80% in 38 minutes. For an operator, however, the practical question is whether charging can be incorporated into the actual work schedule. Using the truck on varied routes should provide more useful data on that point than testing it on a single fixed section.
Another 40 electric trucks on the way
DHL Freight plans to add around 40 more electric trucks to its fleet over the coming months. The operator already runs approximately 1,700 low-emission vehicles and is also evaluating alternative powertrain technologies.
The eTopas 600 is not being used merely as a technology demonstrator. It is carrying out regular domestic and cross-border work. Detailed figures on energy consumption, cost per kilometre and actual charging times are not yet available, but its weekly mileage of about 2,000 km indicates that the electric tractor has become part of DHL Freight’s ongoing transport operations.
