Electric trucks in long-distance transport? Here’s how it works…

The eHaul project will demonstrate that electric trucks are capable of long-distance travel. The solution: an innovative battery exchange system. Renowned partners from research, development and the private sector are involved.

According to the ECTA, around 6.6 million trucks are in use on European roads. They transport 76.6% of our freight on land. In order to achieve the climate targets, it is essential to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles by around a third.

The solution lies in decarbonization. This is why electric and H2 trucks will soon be conquering our roads. The heavy, electric commercial vehicles are still being used for short and medium distances. In our experience, they enjoy a high level of acceptance. They are quiet, efficient, powerful and already economical. The situation is more difficult on long-haul routes.

eHaul makes electric trucks suitable for long journeys

Today, there is a lack of suitable infrastructure for covering the longest distances. Possible solutions include overhead line trucks, megawatt charging and battery swapping systems. The eHaul project at TU Berlin aims to develop and implement a swapping concept. It enables the long-distance use of 40-ton trucks. Partners from the fields of logistics, energy supply, system development, vehicle technology and science are also involved.

The aim is to establish a route network from Berlin/Brandenburg to Dresden. The system and a business model for station operation are being tested for this route. The model envisages the use of batteries in the traction sector and for grid-supporting use. The high capacity utilization, economies of scale in procurement and the mileage of the trucks should enable economical operation. If everything goes according to plan, the two e-vehicles will be in daily use on the route with zero emissions by the end of this year.

Swiss technology also in use

Reinert Logistics and Unitax-Pharmalogistik have ordered tractor units from the rental company Greiwing Truck & Trailer for the implementation. The two vehicles come from the Winterthur-based Volvo subsidiary Designwerk. The batteries of the two trucks will soon be replaced by robots. Durot Electric GmbH is involved in this sub-project as an associated partner. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and wish everyone involved much joy and success with the project.

Together we are making electric mobility suitable for long journeys.

Partner

Consortium partners

Technical University of Berlin (consortium leader)
Fraunhofer IVI
IBAR Systemtechnik GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH
Unitax Pharma Logistics GmbH
Urban Energy GmbH
Reinert Logistics GmbH & Co KG

Associated partners and project network

adesso SE
Berlin Agency for Electromobility eMO
E.DIS Netz GmbH
Brandenburg Economic Development Corporation WFBB
Greiwing Truck and Trailer GmbH & Co. KG
Design work
Durot Electric Ltd.