The electrification of heavy commercial vehicles offers an effective lever for achieving greater sustainability in the transportation sector. According to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), battery-powered electric trucks generate 63 percent less greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetime than trucks powered by conventional diesel.
Indeed, as a market survey by UTA Edenred shows, environmental friendliness is by far the primary motivation for fleet managers to electrify their fleets.
Image (© UTA Edenred): Climate friendliness as the major motivation for fleet managers to electrify their fleets. Source: UTA Edenred Market Survey (German)
For transportation and logistics companies, switching from combustion engine vehicle to a battery-powered equivalent is a challenge. However, facing up to this challenge is not only good for the environment, but it can be economically worthwhile as well, as a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis shows.
Although the purchase price of an electric HGV is higher, their energy and maintenance costs are significantly lower – on average amounting to 0.057 euros per kilometre compared to 0.105 euros per kilometre for diesel trucks. This difference is primarily due to the simpler design of their motors, which feature fewer moving parts. At the same time, country-specific initiatives and incentives such as grants, subsidies and tax benefits make purchasing electric vehicles more attractive.
To drive forward the electrification of road transport in the EU, investments must be made in expanding the charging network. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), approximately 10,000 to 15,000 high power public charging points are required by 2025. By 2030, 40,000 to 50,000 charging points will be needed, the majority of which offering more than 500 kW. According to the ACEA, 40,000 low power (100 kW) night charging stations along motorways will be needed to support electric trucks by 2030. However, the recent expansion of the European charging network is pointing in the right direction. The number of charging points in Europe suitable for electric trucks is now over 6,000 compared to approximately 3,600 charging points in the previous year.
UTA Edenred is actively involved in the expansion of electromobility across Europe and partners with a number of companies in this effort, including Milence – the joint venture between Daimler Truck, TRATON Group and Volvo Group that is dedicated to establishing a European fast-charging network for heavy electric trucks; and Spirii, a leading provider of EV charging platforms that is part of Edenred Group.
Together with Spirii, UTA Edenred offers UTA eCharge®. The comprehensive charging solution provides a 360° offer for light fleets including public charging at over 750,000 charging points plus home- and workplace charging and is now being expanded to a truck charging solution for on the road- and depot charging.
UTA Edenred is also helping to shape the future of the sector through its involvement in industry associations.
Pierre Jalady, CEO of UTA Edenred and General Manager of Edenred Mobility EMEA, says: “We see electromobility as a key component of sustainable transport and are supporting our customers in this transformation. Companies that electrify their truck fleets not only contribute to the realisation of EU climate targets but gain competitive advantages. We’re paving the way for our customers to realise a cleaner and greener future.”
In its new whitepaper, UTA Edenred examines the state of electromobility for commercial vehicles, including regulatory requirements, charging infrastructure and technologies, growth forecasts for e-trucks and the cost of e-trucks compared to combustion engine equivalents. An interview with a subject matter expert and actionable recommendations provide decision makers with everything they need to know about transitioning to electric fleets and their competitive and cost advantages.
The ‘Unlocking the Future of Transportation: Discover the First-Mover Advantages of EV Trucking’ whitepaper can be downloaded for free HERE.
Image (© UTA Edenred): UTA Edenred’s new whitepaper examines electromobility in the HGV segment across Europe
New whitepaper from UTA Edenred: Electrification of truck fleets - The key to economic and ecological mobility in the transport sector - PDF
New whitepaper from UTA Edenred: Electrification of truck fleets - The key to economic and ecological mobility in the transport sector - Key Visual