E-charge 2
E-charge 2 is a project aiming to accelerate the transition to zero-emission long-distance truck transport by demonstrating a large-scale electrified logistics ecosystem, including vehicles, high-power charging infrastructure, and efficient truck stop solutions. By fostering new collaborations, business models, and policies, the project will pave the way for scalable, sustainable logistics systems.
Project description
The main objective of the project is to understand, describe, and demonstrate the transport ecosystem comprising electrified long-distance or energy-intensive truck transport that requires high-power charging, while accelerating the transition to a future logistics system with zero-emission transport. A large-scale system demonstration will be created by bringing together a critical mass of vehicles, charging infrastructure, and logistics flows, alongside a significant number of stakeholders from all parts of the value chain.
Implementation
The electrified logistics systems require a new collaborative culture with new roles, as well as changes in attitudes and behaviours among involved parties and stakeholders. Viable business models, including the sharing of infrastructure, will be described based on empirical data derived from goods and truck flows within the demonstrators. Calculations of environmental benefits and societal gains will be used to propose regulations and policies that support the transition to electric operation by considering the positive effects (such as reduced emissions, improved public health, or more efficient transport systems) that are created. Existing legal frameworks will also be studied in this context.
Operating electrified logistics systems requires infrastructures for freight transport, electricity supply, and data transfer. The interoperability between the involved subsystems will be verified, and methods will be developed for locating charging stations. System technologies will be developed into prototypes of complete electrified truck combinations, focusing on performance and integration between drive units. The efficient development of truck stops, which can manage access and the dynamics of arrival and movement patterns via, for example, booking systems, will be visually monitored and evaluated. Flexible approaches to managing variations in power demand for charging, as well as returning energy from vehicles, will be developed both technically and commercially.
The results of the project will pave the way for the scaling up of electrified logistics systems. The findings will be made available so that other stakeholders beyond the project partners can also benefit from the work. Over time, the results and impacts will contribute to the development of sustainable transport solutions on a global scale.
