DHL, Volvo and Unilever Roll Out Africa’s First Electric Superlink Truck

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DHL Supply Chain has made history by putting Africa’s first fully electric superlink truck on the road in South Africa. The logistics giant has teamed up with Unilever and Volvo Trucks to pilot the groundbreaking project, which officially kicked off on 1 August 2025.

At the heart of the trial is a fully electric Volvo FMX 6X4 tractor paired with an 18-metre curtain-sided superlink trailer — a first for the continent. The truck will run on Unilever’s supply chain routes, with the aim of testing how electric trucks perform in South Africa’s tough operating conditions, where EV infrastructure is still limited.

“This pilot underscores DHL’s commitment to sustainable logistics and transport solutions despite infrastructure challenges in Africa,” said Bremer Pauw, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain Africa. “While limitations remain in scaling EV solutions, strategic partnerships like this enable us to test and capitalise on the technologies available today, proving that low-carbon logistics can be possible, even in emerging markets.”

Volvo Trucks South Africa says the project is part of its long-running push for cleaner transport. “This pilot reflects our belief that collaboration is key to accelerating Africa’s transition to sustainable freight transport,” said Eric Parry, Senior Manager of Sustainable Solutions at Volvo Trucks South Africa.

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The truck will be charged at Unilever facilities using infrastructure supplied by Aeversa, with DHL aiming to eventually shift to renewable energy charging. Performance data from the trial will be benchmarked against DHL’s Euro 5 diesel fleet, which already operates at cleaner standards than most trucks on South African roads.

Read | Volvo Trucks SA Introduces Electric Truck Rentals, Pioneering Environmental-Friendly Transport Solutions

Unilever South Africa’s National Transport Manager, Simphiwe Dlamini, said the pilot fits perfectly with the company’s global sustainability drive. “We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions across our operations by 2039. Collaborations such as this pilot are crucial steps toward reaching our sustainability objectives.”

The success of this trial could speed up the adoption of electric trucks in African logistics, with DHL hinting at wider deployment across the continent in the near future.