photo: DB Cargo/Linkedin/DB Cargo working with Mercedes-Benz on climate-friendly logistics future with their program called DB Eco plus
Mercedes-Benz is making another step for a greener future by opening its Automotive Logistics Centre (ALC) in Bremen. The opening was accompanied by Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Production and Supply Chain Management, and Sigrid Nikutta, DB Board Member for Freight Transport.
This Automotive Logistic Centre is in the immediate vicinity of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. DB Cargo will be transporting the batteries for the new Mercedes-EQ model EQE from the plant in Hedelfingen in Stuttgart 650 km away to Bremen and delivering them CO2 neutrally not only to Bremen but also to the assembly line of the Bremen plant. The logistics centre allows DB Cargo to shunt trains in the immediate vicinity of the factory buildings and unload them there. The area allows for the temporary storage of the lithium-ion batteries and to be prepared for delivery to the assembly line. The processing itself is done by electric tractors ensuring yet again the CO2 neutral operations.
“The consistent reduction of CO2 in the entire value chain is the claim that we formulated with Ambition 2039. CO2 neutral transport logistics is an important step on our way to a climate-neutral vehicle fleet and its production. For our global production network, we rely on a sustainable and environmentally friendly transport mix. The intelligent combination of sustainable transport media, such as in the Bremen battery logistics centre, is a key requirement here,” said about this project Jörg Burzer, a Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Production and Supply Chain Management.
Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, DB Board Member for Freight Transport commented as such: “A single freight train can carry up to 52 trucks and automatically saves 80 to 100 percent of CO2 emissions compared to pure road transport. We are proud that Mercedes-Benz not only entrusts us with the delivery of new vehicles to all European countries but also with supplying the plants with the new heart of electric cars - the drive batteries. Batteries are not exactly light, are sensitive to handle and have to be transported carefully until they reach the assembly line. A DB Cargo train is naturally the climate-friendly means of transport of choice!”
The transport of lithium-ion batteries requires careful handling all the way through the process of transportation to the assembly line. That poses new challenges for the automobile industry as its moving toward the electric car future. It is also a challenge for DB Cargo and their logistic department. As the preparation of the components for the assembly line is a new task for this company.
The name of the offer that Mercedes-Benz is using which gives them entirely CO2 neutral logistics is “DB Eco plus”.
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