DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics arm of DHL Group, has officially broken ground on a specialized European Battery Logistics Hub in Holtum, located in the Limburg region of the Netherlands. The dedicated facility will provide 17,000 square meters of high-security warehouse and technical service space specifically engineered for high-voltage electric vehicle (EV) batteries and stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The new facility is positioned immediately adjacent to DHL Supply Chain’s existing Holtum automotive fulfillment site. By linking the two operations, DHL is creating an integrated e-mobility campus that will serve as a central European gateway for finished battery logistics, aftermarket support, and global component distribution when the hub goes live in early 2027.
Supporting a High-Growth, Asia-to-Europe Supply Chain
The development comes amid accelerating global demand for localized electric mobility infrastructure. China continues to anchor international expansion in this sector, with Chinese manufacturers supplying approximately 70% of the world’s EV batteries. As Asian production leaders increasingly transition from simple product exporting to setting up permanent industrial footprints inside Western Europe, the need for centralized logistics hubs has risen sharply.
The Holtum campus is designed to handle batteries for both passenger electric vehicles and the decentralized energy market, including home storage systems and industrial solar applications. Because of its location in the southern Netherlands, the hub is positioned to manage regional distribution pipelines stretching directly into Germany, Belgium, and neighboring European consumer markets.
Integrating Technical Value-Added Services and Lifecycle Management
High-voltage lithium-ion battery supply chains are subject to strict international safety compliance and environmental regulations. To meet these demands, the new DHL facility will move beyond traditional warehousing to operate as an industrial technical service center.
On-site logistics teams and technicians will manage a variety of specialized value-added services at a single location, including:
- Diagnostics and Testing: Technical evaluation of battery modules using advanced monitoring software to check cell health and state-of-charge.
- Charging and Conditioning: Power management protocols to keep stored batteries at stable, factory-specified charge levels for long shelf-life safety.
- Refurbishment and Reverse Logistics: Reconditioning damaged or warranty-returned battery packs from the field for secondary use.
- Recycling Preparation: Decommissioning expired units at the end of their lifecycle and staging raw materials for circular supply chain processing.
Rainer Haag, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Europe, stated that the transformation of mobility and energy systems is a primary driver of change in global supply chains. He explained that by expanding battery logistics capabilities in Holtum and linking them with established automotive expertise, DHL is creating a scalable solution for the global EV sector, particularly for clients connecting Asian production with European markets. He noted that the investment supports DHL Group Strategy 2030, where New Energy serves as a decisive business growth driver.
Utilizing Multi-Modal Continental Transport Corridors
The physical location of the Holtum e-mobility campus gives shippers access to a variety of transport options. The site connects directly to major multi-lane motorways that tie the Benelux region into Germany’s industrial heartland.
Additionally, the facility is located near a container and barge terminal operating on the adjacent Juliana Canal. This access to inland water transport allows logistics planners to route heavy high-voltage battery shipments onto container barges, helping companies reduce their scope 3 distribution emissions while bypassing highway freight congestion.
John Scherders, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Benelux, remarked that this development reinforces the site’s importance as a logistics and new energy hub for the Netherlands and the surrounding region. He added that connecting the new battery operation with the existing automotive parts site right next door creates a center of excellence that allows DHL to offer seamless logistics and technical services for electric mobility and energy storage customers both across Europe and globally.
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