Maersk, the logistics company, has awarded Volvo Trucks a contract to deliver 25 electric trucks for container transport in Germany. Maersk expects the first two trucks of type Volvo FH Electric by the end of this year, with the remaining 23 to follow in Q1 2024.
Maersk wants to utilise the new zero-emission trucks for local deliveries in places like its sizeable new warehouse in Duisburg, which will be opened this summer, and in the area of Bremen/Bremerhaven, one of Maersk’s main gateway ports in Germany. Electric trucks shunting containers within the warehouse areas are also considered to eliminate even smaller sources of GHG emissions along the transport chain, so Maersk.
“We see a rising demand from our customers for cleaner end-to-end transportation solutions with minimal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” said Jens-Ole Krenzien, Maersk Managing Director of North Europe Continent.
Additionally, Maersk is also exploring how to install charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy for its electric truck fleet in Germany.
“These cutting-edge vehicles, powered by renewable energy sources, hold immense potential in substantially curbing carbon emissions and further reducing Maersk’s carbon footprint,” added Krenzien.
Maersk had previously placed an order with Volvo Trucks for a total of 126 electric trucks of the VNR Electric model for use in the United States. In addition, they will also receive 300 electric trucks from their partner, Einride. The company states that further electric truck initiatives are underway in other countries.
“The successful deployment of e-trucks in the US and the rising demand of many customers for climate-neutral hinterland logistics made the German order a logical next step in our efforts to further decarbonise,” said Julia Heil, Head of Energy Transition Execution at Maersk in Copenhagen. She added it was still early days in e-trucking, but challenges could be overcome if all industry players, customers and governments worked together. “By taking a lead on demand for e-trucks and infrastructure, we want to play our part of unlocking the chicken-and-egg situation and inspire others to follow along.”
Maersk is indeed no stranger to the industry. Apart from electrifying its fleet, the company supports storing and handling electric car batteries and components. Just in May, Maersk announced building a battery logistics centre in Germany. With a total of 20,000 square metres spread over two halls, it will be larger than the similar warehouse opened by Maersk in Teplice in the Czech Republic in November 2022. Construction has already begun on the new centre in Berkhof on the A7, which is “close to the production facilities of several car manufacturers”, according to Maersk. Completion is set for May 2024.
As for the new deal with Volvo Trucks, Maersk has not disclosed the total order value. At the same time, the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport is part-funding the purchase through the ‘Climate-friendly commercial vehicles and infrastructure’ scheme KsNI, with over 4.3 million euros.
Keyword: Maersk is growing the EV fleet with Volvo electric trucks once more