According to electrive.com, DHL Supply Chain has broken ground on a dedicated high-voltage battery logistics hub in Holtum, Netherlands, with operations scheduled to commence in early 2027.
Dedicated Battery Infrastructure at Scale
The new facility will feature an approximately 17,000-square-metre storage and service area — the first DHL site exclusively focused on batteries. Unlike its existing 20 Competence Centres for Electric Vehicles, including the one opened in Slovakia in February 2026, this hub will not handle other EV components. Instead, it is designed to serve both electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems (BESS), a segment experiencing rapid growth across Europe.
Integrated Electromobility Campus
The Holtum location was selected to leverage DHL’s pre-existing automotive logistics operations at the same site. By linking the new battery hub with the adjacent DHL Supply Chain automotive facility, the company is establishing a unified European campus for electromobility and energy systems. The campus benefits from direct access to major motorways connecting the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, as well as proximity to a container and inland shipping terminal on the Juliana Canal. This multimodal connectivity supports resilient, low-emission transport options, including waterborne logistics.
Full Lifecycle Battery Services
The hub will deliver end-to-end value-added services covering the entire battery lifecycle. These include:
- Secure storage of battery units under strict regulatory conditions
- Diagnostic and performance testing
- Charging and thermal conditioning
- Maintenance and repair
- Reverse logistics for returns and warranty processing
- Preparation for recycling and second-life repurposing
Strategic Alignment with DHL Group Strategy 2030
“The transformation of mobility and energy systems is a key driver of change in global supply chains. By expanding our battery logistics capabilities in Holtum and closely linking them with our existing automotive expertise on site, we are creating a scalable one stop shop solution for the EV sector. This investment directly supports DHL Group Strategy 2030, where New Energy is a decisive growth driver for our business across Europe.” — Rainer Haag, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Europe
This expansion reflects broader industry trends: in 2025, the EU’s battery energy storage market grew by 42% year-on-year (according to ENTSO-E data), while global EV battery logistics demand rose 28% YoY (McKinsey & Company, Q1 2026 Logistics Outlook). Other major players are responding similarly — Maersk launched its dedicated EV battery handling protocol in Q4 2025, and UPS expanded temperature-controlled battery transport capacity across 12 EU airports in March 2026. For supply chain professionals, the Holtum hub offers certified compliance with UN 38.3, ADR, and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations — critical for moving Class 9 hazardous goods safely and efficiently.
Source: www.electrive.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
