Last Friday, DM Logistics received the keys to its first electric truck. The second truck will follow on Valentine’s Day. This makes DM a frontrunner in electric transport. With the two electric trucks, we offer our customers the possibility of emission-free transport. This requires long-term cooperation, because electric transport is a real team effort.
Bold investment in electric trucks
Even with subsidies, an electric truck is more expensive than a diesel truck. Yet it is a smart investment, explains managing director Sander Bogers. ‘The future of transport is electric, politicians are clear about that. We want to prepare ourselves well for it. That’s why we are already gaining experience now. For instance, with the driving range, planning trips and optimal charging moments. This enables us to scale up in a smart and cost-efficient way which benefits our customers. It means they are prepared for future legislation, are proven to be sustainable and will soon be able to transport large quantities of goods cost-efficiently without emissions.’
The unexpected benefits of electric transport
Of course electric transport is environmentally friendly. It helps our clients enormously in achieving their climate goals. If you drive 80,000 kilometres a year electrically, you emit 50,000 kilos less CO2 than with an equivalent diesel truck. And there are even more advantages. For instance, an electric truck is low-noise. That ensures less nuisance for local residents when making deliveries in the city centre, something the municipality considers very important when issuing a night licence, for instance.
And although electric driving is still more expensive now, that may just change when the truck levy is introduced (expected implementation date 2026). Tax will then have to be paid per kilometre driven on motorways and some provincial and municipal trunk roads. The lower the truck’s emissions, the lower the rate. This suddenly makes using emission-free trucks a lot more attractive financially.
Why gaining experience is so important
On paper, our electric truck has an average driving range of about 300 kilometres however we are very curious about what this means in practice. How does the truck react over long distances and how long does it last when we use it in urban areas? What will be the impact of the weather? We want to experience this in the coming period. Then we will also test what effect the trailer has on the truck’s performance.
Director Sander Bogers explains why DM Logistics consciously chose to buy an electric tractor head: ‘On balance, a box truck was just as expensive, while with a tractor head you have more flexibility. We can use a city trailer capable of turning very sharply or a 13.6-metre trailer for maximum loading with our client’s logo. It is interesting to discover what the trailer does with the driving range. That’s how we keep learning and optimising our trip planning. If the government then further mandates electric driving, we can easily and cost-effectively scale up.’
Why electric transport is a team effort
Currently, electric transport is more expensive than transport with diesel trucks. That means we are looking with our customers at how best to use the e-truck. We examine where the benefits of an electric truck for the customer justify a higher rate and where, for example, we can charge smartly on our customer’s premises to remain cost-neutral. This requires customers who consider sustainability important or customers who want to prepare for the future.
The search for a suitable client
The call for sustainable transport is getting louder and louder. More and more organisations want to reduce their impact on the environment. Our electric trucks are running flexible in our schedule for the coming period, and we are exploring along with several parties how to take the step to electric transport in order to prepare for an emission-free future to the maximum extent possible. In addition, we are open to new collaborations. Would you like to know more about this? Then get in touch to discuss the possibilities.
