DHL Group relies on proprietary charging and load management system

The Post & Parcel Germany (P&P) division of DHL Group and its subsidiary StreetScooter GmbH, in collaboration with engineering partner IAV, have developed a new charging and load management system for electric vehicles. Compared to previous solutions, this new system not only enables efficient charging of EVs, but also prevents unnecessary load peaks through intelligent energy flow control—resulting in lower costs. It also optimizes the use of self-generated energy (e.g., solar power) and simplifies the integration of stationary battery storage and heat pumps. Additionally, it reduces complexity and provides transparency regarding energy consumption and the utilization of vehicles and infrastructure. Following a successful pilot project involving 600 electric vehicles from various manufacturers, the newly developed system has now been rolled out across the entire P&P division.

Thomas Schlickenrieder, Senior Vice President Infrastructure Operations of the P&P division, said: “Deutsche Post and DHL have long been committed to integrating electric vehicles into their fleet and are recognized as pioneers in this field. With over 35,000 electric vehicles, we have a significant need for an intelligent, stable charging and load management system that is deeply integrated into our operations. Our new in-house solution helps us reduce energy costs, accelerate electrification, and ensure operational stability in our mail and parcel business.”

The intelligent charging management system enables vehicle charging control via backend-to-backend interfaces as well as directly through vehicle connectivity. Based on the (live) state of charge and customizable charging parameters, the optimizer calculates the total energy demand and assigns vehicle-specific 24-hour charging plans. The system continuously adapts to changing conditions - such as preconditioning the vehicle interior or battery parameters during colder months - and ensures optimal performance by updating the parameters accordingly. Defined interfaces also allow relevant data to be integrated into external analysis and monitoring systems, enabling separate monitoring of charging processes, more efficient deployment planning, and significantly faster error analysis.

Rainer Wode, Chief Operating Officer of StreetScooter GmbH, is optimistic about the future: “We’re thrilled to have reached a milestone in the evolution of our charging control system with this successful rollout. Building on more than 15 years of experience in e-mobility, we’re now able to offer this innovative solution to third-party customers as well.”

Michael Gröschel, Head of Digital Solutions – Mobility, Logistics and Transportation at IAV, added: “Our solution delivers maximum reliability in fleet operations and meets the latest IT standards. It’s future-proof and can be flexibly adapted to individual customer requirements.”

The jointly developed solution is now available to third-party customers as part of a new partnership between StreetScooter and IAV.