Driving Business Forward

Berlin, 7 October 2026 – From retail and skilled trades to logistics, construction and services,  commercial vehicles are the backbone of day-to-day operations for many businesses. They keep operations running smoothly, ensure goods arrive on time and help companies deliver reliably for their customers.  With fuel costs rising and sustainability requirements becoming more stringent, businesses are increasingly looking for mobility solutions that are both cost-effective and built for the future.  As a result, more and more companies are exploring the switch to electric commercial vehicles – or have already begun making the transition.

DSH GmbH, a company specializing in interior fit-outs for the hotel industry, recognized early on that electric mobility is not simply a promise for the future, but makes good business sense today.  The company has been systematically transitioning to electric vans for several years while also investing in the charging infrastructure needed to support them.  Its on-site charging system is connected to a photovoltaic system, allowing the company to generate much of the electricity it needs itself. “By switching our fleet to electric vehicles and integrating our solar system into our charging management, we have been able to reduce our fleet costs by 30%,” says Diana von Lützau, managing director of DSH GmbH.

Electrifying Heavy-Duty Transport: Charging Infrastructure as a Competitive Advantage

While electric vans have already become a practical solution for many businesses, the transition to electric heavy-duty transport is also gathering momentum.  At the same time, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:  Continued progress will depend heavily on charging infrastructure that can keep pace with future demand.

A new flagship project at Berlin’s Westhafen demonstrates what this can look like in practice.  Under the auspices of the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, BEHALA (Berliner Hafen- und Lagerhausgesellschaft mbH) and the CutPower Group are developing the first publicly accessible megawatt charging hub for electric commercial vehicles of all sizes.  Extending over more than 130 meters, the facility will feature eight charging bays, each capable of delivering up to one megawatt of charging power simultaneously to an electric truck.  A battery storage system will provide additional power when needed, helping reduce strain on the grid.

“Electrifying heavy-duty transport requires infrastructure that can keep pace as the market grows.  With this project, we are establishing a new European benchmark in Berlin for the logistics of tomorrow,” says Karl Eberhard Hunke, member of the Management Board of CUT POWER AG.  The Hamburg-based company develops and operates innovative ultra-fast charging hubs across Germany and Austria.

BEHALA, too, has been working with electric mobility for a number of years.  In addition to electric trucks, it operates specialized electric vehicles and vessels, including the electric push boat ELEKTRA.  For BEHALA, the joint project is an important step toward creating the infrastructure needed to further advance electric mobility at the Westhafen site. “Westhafen is a key hub for the movement of goods throughout the capital region.  By investing in modern charging infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for lower-emission freight transport while also strengthening the site’s long-term competitiveness,” says BEHALA Managing Director Petra Cardinal.

Berlin Provides Financial Support for the Transition

Through its WELMO commercial electric mobility funding program, the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises supports small and medium-sized enterprises with measures including the purchase of electric commercial vehicles and the installation of the necessary charging infrastructure.

For many companies, however, electrifying their fleets still raises questions about vehicles, charging infrastructure and financial viability.  As Berlin’s state agency for electric mobility and part of the city’s business development network, the Berlin Agency for Electromobility (eMO) helps companies identify where electrification makes sense for their operations, find suitable partners to plan, install and operate charging infrastructure and navigate relevant funding opportunities (www.emo-berlin.de).

The eMO Project Exchange on November 6 will showcase how electric mobility can be successfully implemented in real-world business settings. Companies will gain insights from practical examples and industry experts and have an opportunity to connect directly with specialists in the field. Further information is available via the QR code below.