Logistic companies that are pioneering in the transition towards zero-emission trucking, like Vos Logistics and other members of the European Clean Trucking Alliance (ECTA), are embracing a journey bringing challenges and opportunities.
Vos Logistics headquartered in The Netherlands and operating a fleet of 1,300 vehicles, deployed 8 e-trucks on the road in 2023 and is aiming to deploy more vehicles throughout 2024. To successfully deploy these zero-emission trucks, it is important for technology to evolve towards greater ranges, allowing for more flexibility. Next to that, several other key success factors need to be met as well to ensure a smooth transition.
First of all, a dense and quick deployment of the charging infrastructure to scale up electrification is key. Targets set to member states for the deployment of the charging points as part of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) need not only to be met. The infrastructure also needs to be deployed quickly to provide sufficient certainty to logistic companies.
Moreover, today zero-emission trucks have technical limitations that do not allow them to outperform their diesel counterparts on all routes. The Directive on Weights & Directive, currently negotiated in EU level, can solve that and stimulate the demand of zero-emission trucks from actors in the freight and logistics sector.
The transition is more than just technical issues – because the transition works also through people. As part of a study on the working conditions of zero-emission truck drivers led by the European Clean Trucking Alliance, we see that there are benefits for drivers of zero-emission trucks. Zero-emission trucking can be a way to help address one the key challenges of the Logistic sector, which is driver shortage.
Last but not least: financing zero-emission trucks and total cost of ownership are also key for the transition. Those vehicles have a high initial purchase price which does not make it possible for all companies to easily purchase and operate such vehicles, especially for SMEs which account for more than 95% of transport companies in the EU.
By being a member of the ECTA, Vos Logistics is determined to boost the energy transition further and create more leverage to overcome the challenges that arise. During the conference on April 19th Frank Verhoeven will discuss this topic further. For more information on the European Clean Trucking Alliance go to https://clean-trucking.eu.