Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is relying on a mix of alternative drive systems to reduce the CO2 footprint of its heavy goods transport.
As part of the initiative, the logistics company is putting two new fully electric 40-tonne Volvo swap body trucks into operation, including charging infrastructure, and is expanding its e-truck fleet by adding four more distribution vehicles.
Hellmann has also, since the beginning of this year, used only bio-LNG to fuel its LNG fleet.
The two all-electric trucks will be used on the difficult-to-decarbonise middle mile – initially primarily on routes between the two German cities of Osnabrueck and Bremen, covering between 550 and 700 kilometres a day. The company is also building its own 300 kW charging infrastructure, including buffer storage. The e-fleet will be expanded to include four all-electric 16-tonne trucks to provide emission-free deliveries in urban areas.
“With the purchase of the two electric 40-tonne trucks and the corresponding charging infrastructure, we are taking the next logical step in driving the development towards a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in road freight,” said Chief Operating Officer, Jens Wollesen. “This is not about short-term profitability. Rather, as a driver of innovation, we want to support the further development of technologies and make them competitive.”
In addition to electrifying its fleet, Hellmann is also relying on bio-LNG as a climate-neutral alternative to conventional diesel trucks on long-haul routes. The company sources its bio-LNG, which is made exclusively from organic residues such as liquid manure and dung, from regional production. The aim is to run more than a third of all Hellmann trucks on alternative fuels by the middle of the year.
“We want to live up to our responsibility – towards our customers, the environment and our drivers,” said Chief Operating Officer Road Germany & West Europe, Jonathan Adeoye. “Thanks to low noise levels and zero exhaust emissions, the future belongs to electromobility and sustainable fuels. That’s why we’re aiming to gain operational experience in the field of electric mobility, enabling us to convert our fleet as quickly as possible.”
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