Efficiency improves not only profitability but also sustainability. One approach to enhancing efficiency in road freight is to increase the load capacity per trip. This can be achieved, for example, by using duo trailers, a combination of two semi-trailers. If the tractor unit is also powered by HVO instead of diesel – as is the case with the two duo trailers running between Madrid and Barcelona for DHL Freight Spain – the carbon footprint of the transport is further reduced.
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by up to 90 Percent
There are about 600 kilometers of road between the two DHL Freight terminals in Madrid and Barcelona. On such a busy route, a lot of transport emissions can be saved. To efficiently exploit this potential in groupage freight between the two Spanish metropolitan cities, DHL Freight Iberia is addressing two issues with the duo trailers: loading capacity and fuel.
The two duo trailers each consist of two semi-trailers pulled by an HVO-powered tractor unit. The total length of the two trailers is 31.75 meters each. This makes DHL Freight Iberia’s duo trailers the transport solution with the largest road freight capacity in Europe. The modular concept optimizes transport flows and, in combination with HVO, reduces CO2e emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional diesel transport.
DHL Freight Iberia is proud to begin working with this type of vehicle, as it introduces an optimal, efficient and more environmentally friendly solution for transporting our clients’ loads. We hope to continue introducing new features in the coming months that will contribute to this objective of quality, efficiency and sustainability.
Rubén Gavela, General Manager DHL Freight Iberia
Technical Features of the Duo Trailers
The two semi-trailers that make up both combinations each have their own control, coupling, and warning mechanisms. The duo trailers can be easily separated, allowing each trailer to continue on its own with its own tractor unit.
Another special feature is the reinforced chassis on the front trailer to cope with the additional dragging and braking forces, as well as a coupling bell for the drawbar to better connect the front and rear trailers.
How You Can Benefit from GoGreen Plus
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time – and it affects all of us. However, it is not equally easy for every industry and every company to reduce their respective ecological footprint. With GoGreen Plus, we offer you the opportunity to reduce emissions in a simple way thanks to insetting – exactly where they occur. Your investment goes 100% into the use of green technologies within our network.
Start climate neutral shipping now
Other DHL Freight Sustainability Projects
DHL Freight uses emissions-reducing HVO fuels on other routes as well, including shipments for the mechanical engineering company Manitou Group and the pharmaceutical manufacturers Alexion and Lilly. We operate all-electric transports, for example, at our German sites in Hagen and Koblenz, in the Netherlands, and for Parker Hannifin. We are also testing hydrogen technology in practice, for example with the Paul Hydrogen Power Truck.
This openness to technology helps us find the best solutions to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals and shape the green logistics of the future. With GoGreen Plus services, our customers can actively support us and reduce their own Scope 3 emissions.
