DHL introduces Singapore's first fully electric autonomous vehicle in live operations

DHL Supply Chain has launched Singapore’s first fully electric Autonomous Vehicle (AV) in live supply‑chain operations, marking a significant step towards smarter and greener logistics within its Asia Pacific Advanced Regional Centre, with aims to expand onto public roads pending regulatory approval.

DHL Supply Chain has deployed what it describes as Singapore’s first fully electric Autonomous Vehicle (AV) in live supply‑chain operations at its Asia Pacific Adva...

nced Regional Centre (ARC), integrating the vehicle across Infineon’s on‑site operations to automate in‑plant material movements.

According to the original report, the AV was developed in partnership with Zelostech and links into DHL Supply Chain’s warehouse‑management systems to move goods and materials between storage zones. The company says the vehicle features advanced navigation, real‑time monitoring and built‑in safety protocols and represents the first phase of an autonomous logistics roadmap in Singapore. A second phase, DHL states, would expand deployment onto selected public roads and additional customer sites subject to regulatory approvals.

“This milestone is a powerful example of how innovation and collaboration can drive smarter, safer, and more sustainable logistics,” said Eunis Hew, Managing Director, DHL Supply Chain Singapore, in the company announcement. The statement frames the rollout as part of DHL Group’s broader push to embed digital and autonomous technologies into operations under its Strategy 2030.

The deployment follows Zelostech’s win of DHL Group’s Fast Forward Challenge Middle East and Africa 2025. According to the original report, DHL’s innovation teams in Dubai and Singapore worked with Zelostech to identify high‑impact use cases, which led to a proof‑of‑concept trial in Singapore and the current production deployment at ARC. “We’re proud to collaborate with DHL Supply Chain and Infineon to bring this vision to life in Singapore,” said Sean Zhang, Co‑Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Zelostech, in the announcement.

Infineon, the customer site where the AV is operating, said the solution supports its digital‑transformation and sustainability goals. “This AV solution boasts advanced autonomous navigation, real‑time monitoring and seamless integration into existing logistics ecosystems,” added Aaron Arjuna Parameswaran, Director, Logistics Distribution Center (Asia), Infineon Technologies, in the company announcement.

The company claims the electric AV will reduce carbon emissions by over 80% annually compared with the diesel truck it replaces, eliminate tailpipe emissions and save the equivalent of 120 trees a year through more efficient routing and lower energy consumption. Industry data and regulators will be key to validating such sustainability gains as deployments scale beyond controlled in‑plant environments.

DHL framed the initiative as consistent with its Strategy 2030 and net‑zero ambitions. The company said in a statement that DHL Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024 and aims to achieve net‑zero emissions logistics by 2050. DHL also said it will continue collaborating with industry partners to trial next‑generation technologies that it believes can raise efficiency and accelerate the shift to smart, lower‑carbon logistics.

While the rollout is presented as a local first in Singapore, its broader commercial impact will depend on operational results, safety performance, regulatory approvals for public‑road use and customers’ appetite to scale autonomous mobility inside and beyond warehouse fences. According to the original report, DHL plans a phased approach , starting with controlled, in‑plant automation and moving to road‑facing deployments only after appropriate approvals are in place.

Source: Noah Wire Services