E.ON brought together heavy goods vehicle manufacturers and logistics companies with its own e-mobility experts for a joint long-distance test it called eTruckathon. Twelve e-trucks travelled 300km from Essen to Hanover to demonstrate the practical suitability of electric and fuel cell trucks and the associated charging and hydrogen infrastructure. The route led over freeways and country roads and E.ON said it represented a practical test. Although the range of the trucks was sufficient for the entire route, charging stops were planned to demonstrate the suitability of charging for everyday use.
The European event comes as UK motorway services company Moto included 54 electric HGV charging bays in a planning application to expand its service centre in Wetherby on the A1(M). The development would also include 134 charging spaces for cars.
The eTruckathon participants included teams companies such as Daimler Truck, DB Schenker, DHL, Elflein Transport & Logistik, FAUN, Fiege, Gruber Logistics, Hyundai, Hylane, MAN, Renault and Trailer Dynamics.
Marc Spieker, Chief Operating Officer at E.ON, said: “With the eTruckathon, we are bringing together the leading players in the industry and providing a practical insight into the current possibilities of environmentally friendly heavy goods transport. In many areas, electric and hydrogen trucks are already suitable for everyday use. The technologies are available. In the coming years, it will be a matter of bringing them into widespread and affordable use.”