DB Cargo and Mercedes-Benz Transport Batteries by Rail

Milestone for CO₂-neutral transport logistics: Opening of the state-of-the-art Automotive Logistics Center for Mercedes-Benz in Bremen by Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production and Supply Chain Management, and DB Board Member for Freight Transport Sigrid Nikutta.The logistics center enables DB Cargo to maneuver trains in close proximity to the production halls and unload there.

(Mainz/Bremen) Climate-neutral transport solutions for the production of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles: Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Production and Supply Chain Management, and Sigrid Nikutta, Executive Board Member for Freight Transport at Deutsche Bahn AG, today officially opened the state-of-the-art Automotive Logistics Center located near the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. The center for battery logistics is the hub of the climate-neutral logistics concept for the battery systems of the new Mercedes-EQ model EQE. Starting this year, DB Cargo will transport the systems CO₂-neutrally from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Hedelfingen, Stuttgart, over approximately 650 km to Bremen, delivering them just-in-time and also CO₂-neutrally to the assembly line of the Bremen Mercedes-Benz plant. The logistics center allows DB Cargo to maneuver trains in close proximity to the production halls and unload there. The lithium-ion batteries will be temporarily stored in a trailer yard and a battery hall and prepared for delivery to the assembly line. The handling will be carried out with electric tractors.

Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production and Supply Chain Management: “The consistent reduction of CO₂ across the entire value chain is the goal we have set with our 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 modes, as seen in the Bremen battery logistics center, is a crucial requirement.”

Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, DB Board Member for Freight Transport: “A single freight train can carry the cargo of 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, sensitive in handling, and must be transported carefully until they reach the assembly line. Therefore, a DB Cargo train is naturally the climate-friendly transport option of choice!”

Connecting tracks form the backbone

The transformation of the automotive industry towards electromobility affects all production processes. Supply and delivery routes via rail are taking on a whole new role: The transport of lithium-ion batteries presents special requirements. Preparing the components for assembly on the production line also poses new tasks for the rail logistics provider DB Cargo. Rail logistics must reliably adapt to the production pace of the automotive industry – “in sync” with rail, logistics, and assembly line. The direct rail connections to many Mercedes-Benz plants have been the backbone of climate-friendly automotive logistics for years.

Delivery and dispatch by rail

Mercedes-Benz is fully committed to climate-neutral rail logistics: “Eco plus” is the offering with which DB Cargo organizes the logistics chains of the premium manufacturer completely CO₂-neutrally. This applies to the delivery of all vehicle parts by rail to the Mercedes-Benz plants as well as to the dispatch of brand new vehicles.

Photo: © Mercedes-Benz