Image: Daimler Truck AGGebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg, is one of the industry’s major players, with around 8,600 employees worldwide and 180 company-owned locations. In addition to transport and logistics solutions, the organisation offers digital services and supply chain management. In its home market of Austria, Gebrüder Weiss is now expanding the electrification of its truck routes. Recently, 14 eActros 600 battery-electric trucks were put into service, following an initial trial of two units last summer.The current electric fleet is stationed at the company’s locations in Vienna, Pöchlarn, Wels, and Hall in Tyrol, as well as at its headquarters in Lauterach. At Gebrüder Weiss, the battery-electric trucks are used for both regional transport and more demanding line and long-distance haulage. This is made possible by the company’s own energy and charging infrastructure, which spans multiple locations in Austria and southern Germany. The energy is sourced from its own photovoltaic systems or certified green electricity. Furthermore, with plans to expand the fleet soon, charging facilities are set to be installed at additional sites. The goal is to conduct operations with even greater independence from external charging stations, according to the company.“A company can only be successful in the long run if it operates sustainably and plans investments with a long-term perspective,” says Jürgen Bauer, member of the Gebrüder Weiss management board. “That is why we opted early on for an electric strategy. We have been working with Daimler Truck in the combustion-engine segment for ten years. What matters most to us are technological leadership, efficiency and safety. The eActros 600 was the first vehicle to meet the range requirements of our network operations – and with Daimler Truck’s Europe-wide service network, the overall package aligns perfectly with our needs.”Stefan Oberhauser, Branch Manager for Land & Logistics in Vorarlberg at Gebrüder Weiss, adds: “Our customers expect reliability and punctuality even when it comes to zero-emission transport. With our own energy supply and the new vehicle solutions, sustainable road transport can be implemented ideally. In addition, the vehicles can recharge while goods are being loaded or unloaded – without any additional downtime.”According to those responsible, battery-electric trucks at the Vorarlberg site operate around the clock. They are used for regional transport within Vorarlberg, for trips to Switzerland and Germany, and for line services to destinations such as Hall in Tyrol and Freiburg im Breisgau. Oberhauser notes: “E‑mobility also means a new mindset – more planning, clean load management and dispatching that intelligently integrates charging times. At the same time, it highlights where infrastructure and regulatory conditions still need to catch up.”During the presentation of its electrification plans, the logistics provider also introduced an initiative called ‘GreenLine‘. Gebrüder Weiss uses this name for a project aimed at decarbonising heavy groupage transport. As part of the project, twelve heavy battery-electric trucks of the eActros 600 type will be deployed daily on fixed routes across Austria. These trucks are designed to recharge quickly (“between 30 and 90 minutes at the company’s own fast chargers”) and can transport a 22 tonne payload. At the headquarters in Lauterach alone, two transformer stations, each with 1,600 kVA, will soon supply up to 16 fast-charging points.daimlertruck.com