City logistics: DACHSER creates more emission-free delivery zones in European city centers
By Christian Auchter I 3 minute read
08/10/2025
DACHSER will create emission-free delivery zones in 25 cities across Europe by the end of the year. Recently, inner-city areas in Warsaw, Rotterdam, and Barcelona have also been designated as zones where only zero-emission vehicles can deliver and collect goods.
From Oslo to Porto, from Paris to Prague – the DACHSER Emission-Free Delivery concept is now being implemented in 20 major European cities. In a designated area of the respective city center, e.g., around shopping streets or narrow old town alleys, non-refrigerated shipments are transported exclusively emission-free. Depending on local conditions, e-trucks, e-vans, or even cargo bikes are used for delivery.
The latest addition is an area of Malaga city center, which has been served by a fully electric 7.5-ton electric truck since September 2025. DACHSER Spain has been using emission-free vehicles in Malaga since 2004 with the compact “El Carrito” and electrically assisted cargo bikes.
A zone in Warsaw’s city center has also been newly integrated into the Emission-Free Delivery concept. An electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter has been in operation there since July. “For us, this is an important step on the way to more sustainable city logistics,” explains Seweryn Zawko, Branch Manager European Logistics Warsaw at DACHSER Poland. “This allows us to not only comply with changing legal requirements, but also meet our customers’ expectations.” The service is to be gradually expanded over the next few years.
This allows us to not only comply with changing legal requirements, but also meet our customers’ expectations.
Rotterdam and Barcelona also emission-free
From the Koopgoot – Rotterdam’s famous, partially underground shopping street – to the iconic Lijnbaan and the lively Meent with its many shops and shopping opportunities: Since the end of April 2025, DACHSER has been transporting goods in the center of the Netherlands’ second-largest city on a daily basis without emissions. Several electric vehicles serve a large number of shops, showrooms, and office buildings. Two electric trucks – a Volvo Electric FL 4×2 and a Renault D Z.E – are ideal for inner-city distribution and deliver from the DACHSER location in Waddinxveen to the center of Rotterdam. A third Volvo electric van is available as a backup.
Barcelona has also been on board since spring, where two electric vehicles and a cargo bike serve the postal codes on Paseo de Gracia and the surrounding area. By the end of the year, emission-free delivery zones are to be established in six other European cities.
DACHSER Emission-Free Delivery supports the logistics provider’s long-term climate protection strategy. DACHSER has set the course for the future with a strategic focus program it calls DACHSER Climate Protection.
Long-term strategy
DACHSER supports the efforts of city administrations to improve air quality and reduce traffic noise through emission-free inner-city deliveries. Battery-electric trucks and cargo bikes do not cause any local air pollution and contribute significantly to air quality. Since DACHSER uses only renewable electricity, greenhouse gas emissions for the last mile are zero. In addition, noise emissions are reduced and traffic congestion caused by trucks is alleviated. Drivers also benefit from a vibration-free, pleasant driving experience.
DACHSER Emission-Free Delivery supports the logistics provider’s long-term climate protection strategy. In the spirit of sustainable business development and with a focus on process and energy efficiency, innovation, and integrative responsibility, the family-owned company is actively driving the transition to more sustainable logistics together with customers and partners.
