Mercedes-Benz and Karldischinger sign agreement for 100 zero-emission trucks
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with long-time logistics partner Karldischinger Logistikdienstleister in Germany for the delivery of 100 zero-emission trucks over the next five years.
Announced during Karldischinger’s 100th anniversary celebration, the deal is a significant step in the firm’s century-long relationship.
Based in Südbaden (South Baden), Germany, Karldischinger (known as “kd”) has been using Mercedes-Benz trucks for 100 years, transitioning through every major technological shift – from carbureted petrol to diesel, and now to zero-emission vehicles.
The new LOI will introduce a mix of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, depending on the fleet’s needs and the progress of the technology.
Almost 30 years after testing the original Atego Hybrid BlueTec truck, Karldischinger is now bringing the eActros 300 Lowliner into operation as part of its fleet modernisation.
The addition joins a fleet of 120 existing Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mostly models from the Actros and Atego series.
The LOI also supports Daimler Truck’s goal of achieving “locally emission-free inbound logistics” for its Wörth assembly plant by 2026.
20 eActros 300 trucks are already in use for deliveries to the Wörth site, including one from Karldischinger, with plans to expand zero-emission transport to other Daimler sites in Kassel, Mannheim, and Gaggenau.
Christian Wilz, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks & FUSO Germany, commented, “Our relationship with Karldischinger Logistikdienstleister has been built on mutual respect and trust over the past century. I’m pleased to see this partnership moving into the future with the introduction of 100 zero-emission vehicles.”
Karldischinger is already laying the groundwork for its next-generation fleet, with a 300 kW charging station having been installed to support its incoming eActros 300 trucks, and the company is testing an e-trailer for fresh food logistics – which uses an electric cooling unit powered by a recuperation axle to generate energy.
Reflecting on the company’s legacy, Karlhubert Dischinger, shareholder of Karldischinger Logistikdienstleister, noted, “From our first ‘Benz delivery van’ in 1924, to today’s electric trucks, we’ve been part of every major development in truck technology. This latest agreement marks a new chapter in our focus on modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible logistics.”
A century of innovation
The partnership between Karldischinger and Mercedes-Benz began in 1924 with the purchase of the company’s first truck from the Gaggenau plant, the world’s oldest truck factory.
Today, kd handles freight across the Black Forest, Rhine plain, and southern Germany, with a focus on modernising its fleet while prioritising ergonomics, comfort, and safety.
Under the leadership of Karlkristian Dischinger, Karldischinger continues to integrate both hydrogen-powered and battery-electric vehicles into its logistics network.
Daimler’s hydrogen-powered trucks are still in customer trials, while battery-electric models have been in series production since 2021.
The next phase of fleet modernisation is now focused on bringing these zero-emission vehicles into practical use.
