Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone has opened the region's first electric vehicle (EV) and battery logistics centre.
The 23,500-square-meter warehouse, built by DHL Global Forwarding and created in close collaboration with the EV team of DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation (CSI), features a dedicated EV battery storage space, which will be expanded to 2,000 square metres later this year.
"It is tremendously exciting for the DHL team to launch the region's first facility for EV batteries and other risky items," said Fathi Tlatli, President Global Auto-Mobility Sector, DHL CSI. This Center of Excellence adds to our worldwide EV logistics network and demonstrates our global experience combined with local knowledge.
"It aids the UAE's and the Middle East's transformation to a circular economy by maintaining a stable supply chain for long-term mobility solutions. Our clients benefit from comprehensive compliance solutions that enable regional EV growth, such as secure storage, returns management, faulty battery management, recycling, and much more."
Electric vehicles (EVs) are crucial to decarbonizing the transportation sector. On the strength of soaring EV sales, the EV market is predicted to increase six times its current size over the next ten years. EVs are expected to account for more than half (55%) of new automobile sales by 2040.
"We construct compliant and cost-efficient supply chains that enable EV development in conjunction with customers," stated Samer Kaissi, Country Manager, Dubai and Northern Emirates, DHL Global Forwarding.
"DHL has a track record of careful EV battery management from start to finish. DHL is addressing client expectations for EV logistics across the Middle East by combining global best practises with particular regional requirements in an agile and scalable manner," he added.
EV logistics in the region may now be more flexible and agile thanks to DHL's Team EV. DHL's Dubai facility is compliant, safe, and expandable for handling and storing EV material like as batteries, charging equipment, and other risky items. Customers of DHL may share this multi-user facility, making it a more cost-effective option than maintaining a specialised warehouse.
The hub facilitates the EV circular economy by allowing batteries to be stored, recycled, mended, and processed at the end of their useful life, assuring long-term sustainability. Customers of DHL may effortlessly integrate this solution into their existing supply chain, resulting in long-term sustainability advantages for the area.