Everyone has seen them: long freight trains fully loaded with brand new cars. They are the symbol of car transport by train. However, DB Cargo Logistics not only transports finished vehicles, but also vehicle parts. Every day, up to 250 freight trains travel across Europe in DB Cargo's network for the automotive industry, ensuring that both components and finished vehicles reach their destination safely and efficiently.
Logistics for vehicles and vehicle parts can be very complex and include many other services in addition to transport. We always have our finger on the pulse and not only transport everything to do with cars, but also think and plan our customers' logistics.
Our Automotive RailNet combines the best of both worlds: the speed and efficiency of block train transport with the flexibility and scalability of single wagonload transport. The specific industry network connects automotive plants as well as suppliers, dealers and harbours in Europe and is constantly being expanded. We are operating up to 250 trains per day with vehicles and vehicle parts in the Automotive RailNet. High-performance lanes between the major automotive clusters are the centrepiece of the network. We have also integrated special train formation yards, known as hubs, into the network at strategic junctions. These are smaller and faster than the large marshalling yards and serve to consolidate and distribute transport volumes.
Using the plug & play principle, new customers can be quickly and easily connected to the closely meshed network between the automotive clusters. This applies not only to car manufacturers, but also to suppliers such as battery manufacturers. The highlight here is that it does not matter whether the location has its own railway siding. Multimodal rail access points such as logistics centres, railports and terminals are used to connect production sites to the environmentally friendly rail network as required.
"Managing the entire logistics chain from a single source by integrating a strong rail solution – that's what rail logistics mean to us."
The automotive industry is changing: away from combustion engines and towards alternative drive technologies, automation and digitalisation of plants, more individualisation in production, changing distribution channels, new players entering the market and changes in the life cycle of a car. We are supporting the automotive industry in all of these developments, whether through the forward-looking modernisation of our car carrier wagons, the quick connection of battery manufacturers to our network or the continuous development of our digital interface solutions for a smooth flow of information with our customers.
More and more electric cars are coming onto the market, equipped with powerful lithium-ion batteries. Through efficient battery logistics solutions, we support the automotive industry in achieving its ecological and economic goals. With environmentally friendly rail transport and a multimodal network, we are paving the way for low-emission logistics for e-cars.
In accordance with the plug & play principle, we connect battery manufacturers quickly and easily to the existing Automotive RailNet and thus connect them seamlessly to all major automotive plants. We also frequently advise our customers on the dimensioning of the logistics and rail infrastructure, especially for new plants. Even without their own railway sidings, we gradually connect battery manufacturers and cell suppliers to our network via numerous railports and logistics centres.
The rail is predestined for the transport of lithium-ion batteries and their cells. Especially with regard to the weight of these heavy goods, rail can fully utilise its strengths: The load factor for freight wagons, for example, is two and a half times higher than for lorries. Rail freight transport is also ahead when it comes to safety, in terms of accident frequency. This is an important advantage for lithium-ion cells and battery modules, which are classified as dangerous goods. Last but not least, rail also scores highly in terms of its environmental benefits and therefore makes a significant contribution to ensuring that e-cars are delivered with a small carbon footprint.
"With our plug-and-play approach, we can keep the network open to new manufacturers and suppliers and react to new trends, cargo streams and sites at any time."
In recent years, the demand for SUVs and electric vehicles has increased significantly. Both vehicle types place special demands on car transport: SUVs are heavier, wider and higher than conventional vehicles, while electric cars also have increased weight and often lower ground clearance due to their batteries – similar to that of sports cars. We recognised these market trends early on and our flexible car carrier wagons offer an innovative solution for the safe transport of a wide range of vehicle types, from classic compact cars to large SUVs and heavy electric vehicles. The infinitely adjustable upper loading level is the key here. It enables individual adjustment of the loading height and optimum utilisation of the loading volume. The new generation of wagons also offers the advantage of a higher load limit and is designed for individual weights of up to 3.2 tonnes.
"Our entire fleet is continuously customised to your products, includes all developments in electric mobility and offers high loading capacity and optimum load securing."
DB Cargo Logistics is a reliable partner to the automotive industry. The DB Cargo subsidiary specialises in the transport of vehicles and vehicle parts and bundles all of DB's automotive transports under one roof.
We link battery manufacturing with automotive production – by designing individual and customised transport solutions for lithium-ion cells and battery modules.
Convince yourself of our network: advantages and information on the Automotive RailNet can be found on the network landing page.
Kai Birnstein
Head of Automotive at DB Cargo Logistics
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