DHL Freight has received the first Europe series-producedSuperPanther eTopas 600 electric truck which will be deployed in the Netherlands. The ceremonial handover of the first vehicle took place at the production plant in Steyr, Austria. The collaboration between the Chinese and Austrian companies began on 28SEP2024, with the signing of a joint Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the partnership.
As a pioneer in the field of new energy technology, SuperPanther is committed to advancing its “Enabler” strategy by working with global partners to drive the innovation and adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks. The partnership with Steyr Automotive represents SuperPanther’s first collaboration in vehicle manufacturing in Europe and is a key milestone in its global strategy. The eTopas 600 is designed for a total towing capacity of 42 metric tons and is expected to have a range of 560 km. According to the manufacturer, the batteries recharge in just under 40 minutes (80%).
In 2025, DHL Freight tested the eTopas 600 electric truck extensively in daily operations in Austria, including on the route between Vienna and Wels under real-world conditions. The experience was consistently positive, leading the division to decide to deploy the vehicle in day-to-day operations for customers in the Netherlands.
Key drivetrain components, among other things, come from China; European suppliers include companies such as Schaeffler, ZF, Infineon, and Continental.“With the first eTopas 600 for DHL Freight, we are turning our strategic partnership with SuperPanther into a tangible operational milestone. The tests in Austria provided us with valuable insights into the vehicle’s suitability for everyday use. The planned deployment within the DHL Freight network is the next step for us in jointly advancing low-emission road transport,” said Antje Huber, SVP Strategy, Marketing & Staff, DHL Freight.
