The Electra Initiative: The Future of Electric Trucks in Transport Logistics
November 8th, 2024 ・ 5 min reading time
Sustainable Logistics: Electric Trucks Are the Key to Mobility Transition
The Electra initiative is a joint project of the companies of Schwarz Group that is driving the change in transport logistics toward sustainability. It aims to reduce carbon emissions and actively help to shape the mobility transition through the use of electric trucks.
The Importance of Logistics for the Companies of Schwarz Group
Logistics is the backbone of the companies of Schwarz Group. Our external transport service providers use around 7,500 trucks every day to supply Kaufland and Lidl stores with goods. The introduction of electric trucks is a crucial step in cutting emissions and reducing our ecological footprint.
The Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Electric Trucks
The switch to electric trucks brings challenges and opportunities with it. There is still a more limited range of these vehicles compared with diesel trucks. Meeting their huge energy requirements and ensuring successful implementation requires a comprehensive charging infrastructure at our logistics sites. As part of the initiative, PreZero is working with Kaufland and Lidl on store deliveries for the very first time, with the common project goal of achieving transparency regarding the use of electric trucks and how they work with the charging infrastructure. This is important for adapting processes to the innovative technology and optimizing the cost structure in the future. The knowledge gained from this will be crucial for the process chain as a whole.
Collaboration and Innovation
Schwarz Beschaffung, Schwarz Mobility Solutions, Schwarz Immobilien Services, PreZero and Schwarz Logistik are working closely together to coordinate the use of electric trucks. This collaboration is a flagship project for the industry and shows how important it is to work together on lower-emission logistics.
Progress and Outlook
The findings from the Electra initiative are helping to drive the successful decarbonization of logistics at the companies of Schwarz Group. The companies of Schwarz Group already established joint measures in this area some time ago and are achieving real reductions as a result.
Kaufland: At the Möckmühl, Germany, site, Kaufland has been using ten electric trucks to supply markets since September 2023. A charging park with eight charging stations was built shortly after and inaugurated in December 2023. During this first year, until September 2024, 385 tons of carbon dioxide were saved. In addition to this, further electric trucks are being used at the German Barsinghausen and Donnersdorf sites.
Lidl: Over 65 battery electric trucks are in use for Lidl in 16 countries, including Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands. Lidl Netherlands is planning to supply all of its stores using electric trucks by 2030. Countries like Lidl Spain are also gaining initial experience with electric trucks.
PreZero: Tests have been carried out on alternative drives in seven national companies. PreZero has received funding to procure electric trucks and is already using electric heavy-duty trucks in Sweden and the Netherlands. Five electric trucks will be in operation in Germany from the end of the fiscal year.
Future Prospects and Industry Commitment
“Future Day”, a trade fair organized by the companies of Schwarz Group, was another milestone in the summer of 2024. This event brought manufacturers, freight forwarders and industry experts together to discuss the decarbonization of transport logistics. On a site spanning over 10,000 square meters, nine manufacturers, including Daimler, Volvo, MAN, Krone and Schmitz Cargobull, presented their electric truck models and other innovations. The trade fair provided 600 guests with a platform to step up the dialog in the logistics industry and discuss specific steps for transitioning to electric mobility. The companies of Schwarz Group are now putting the knowledge gained into practice and are driving the sustainable transformation of logistics.
The Electra initiative is a key step towards a sustainable future. With it, we are showing that the transformation of transport logistics is not only possible, but it is necessary to protect the climate.
