DHL & Cox Automotive: EV Battery Services for Fleets

​​​​​​​DHL Supply Chain, recognised globally as a leading logistics provider, has joined forces with Cox Automotive, a major player in connected automotive services.

Their collaboration aims to create the UK's most extensive electric vehicle (EV) battery services centre, an initiative that not only sets a new standard in EV battery circularity but also addresses critical challenges in battery management and maintenance.

The centre, housed within DHL's 146,000-square-foot EV Centre of Excellence in Rugby, UK, allocates a significant 35,000 square-foot area solely for battery repair, remanufacturing, logistics and storage tasks.

What's more, it is constructed to comply with the latest government policies and safety protocols, empowering it to manage thousands of EV batteries each year. This set-up ensures a sustainable and efficient lifecycle for these crucial EV components.

Investment in battery circularity and energy efficiency

DHL has committed more than $1m to innovative technologies, notably the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which supports sustainable energy practices. BESS allows for the discharge of EV batteries with the reclaimed energy then cycled back into the site and the remanufacturing process.

This not only ensures efficient energy use but also enhances battery performance, pushing forward EV technology adoption more broadly.

DHL Supply Chain's partnership with Cox Automotive is poised to boost confidence in EV battery technology by delivering dependable, large-scale services for manufacturers and fleet operators.

Battery performance is often a sticking point for potential EV adopters and recent studies by Cox Automotive show that at least two-thirds (68%) of UK drivers desire more transparency regarding battery health, lifespan and recycling options.

Scaling EV battery services

Building on a successful expansion in the US, Cox Automotive's launch of a UK facility follows the introduction of its EV Battery Solutions business in Europe.

Cox has been active in developing infrastructures and solutions tackling essential issues such as EV durability, government mandates and the automotive sector's technical expertise requirements.

Paul Stone, Managing Director of Manufacturing Logistics at DHL Supply Chain, explains the importance of taking a thorough approach to EV battery management.

"Handling, transporting and storing EV batteries is a complex process, presenting some unique challenges," he states. "We've been listening and working with the industry to create a more robust end-to-end solution for the EV batteries that effectively and reliably addresses challenges for manufacturers and fleets.

"Alongside Cox Automotive, we are setting the new standard for EV battery circularity. The cooperation represents a major step forward in creating a scalable circular economy for batteries in the UK."

A unique EV handling solution

Martin Forbes, President of Cox Automotive International, underlines the significance of the new centre.

He says: "As the automotive industry attempts to balance government mandates, consumer concerns about the durability of EVs and a lack of technical expertise, the market requires tangible solutions and infrastructure to address barriers to EV adoption.

"With 35,000 square feet of dedicated battery repair space, we can deliver vital battery services to customers under one roof. In addition, this new facility provides our customers with a unique EV handling service as it complements our existing vehicle services location just 13 miles away in Bruntingthorpe."

As the shift to EVs continues, the collaboration between DHL and Cox Automotive represents a vital step in managing EV battery lifecycles.

By merging their expertise, these companies are not just responding to current needs but are also establishing a foundational system for a scalable, circular economy for EV batteries.

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