Electric trucks as a major cost lever in logistics

The technology has progressed further than many think

The technology is more advanced than some of the current debates suggest. New models offer ranges suitable for longer routes, and fast charging is becoming increasingly powerful. For store deliveries, however, that is often not even the main constraint: many routes are under 150 kilometers. Charging at the distribution center during loading windows and vehicle idle time, even at lower charging speeds, is often sufficient. Today, the critical question is less about range and more about how to secure the necessary charging and energy infrastructure.

The business case is there

The business case is already there and can be assessed by comparing total cost of ownership (TCO). Electric trucks still tend to be more expensive than diesel models upfront. At the same time, however, they benefit from lower energy costs per mile, reduced maintenance, and toll advantages. Model calculations already frequently show TCO benefits, and the picture continues to shift as raw material prices and CO₂ costs rise while battery prices fall. Under current assumptions, the total cost of ownership of electric trucks over five years is around 10 percent lower than that of diesel vehicles. The key condition is that electricity is not simply “purchased and charged,” but actively managed: load management, time-of-use tariffs, and on-site power generation all improve profitability.

Zero-emission distribution is coming

Zero-emission distribution is coming, as many cities and regions are moving in that direction. In the Netherlands, zero-emission zones will be implemented in 28 cities between 2025 and 2030. For store networks near urban centers, this is a clear signal: the question is not whether zero-emission delivery will arrive, but how fast.

There are two key success factors: first, warehouse and site design

Logistics sites obviously need charging infrastructure in order to be E-truck-ready. Building systems requirements are increasing significantly: grid connections, battery storage, cable routing, as well as protection and fire safety requirements for high-voltage vehicles all come into play. In practice, details like these have a direct impact on productivity.

Photovoltaics and battery storage create additional value through lower, more predictable energy costs and by smoothing peak loads. In the future, this can transform a warehouse from a pure energy consumer into a controllable energy hub with the potential to generate new revenue streams.

In many cases, however, the grid connection is the critical path, with long lead times, and sufficient connected load is the basic prerequisite for deploying electric trucks. Companies planning new warehouses or modernizing existing sites should therefore incorporate fleet electrification into their plans at an early stage.

The second success factor is transport planning and charging control

Transport planning and charging control are at least as important as designing the infrastructure correctly. Routes need to be planned around individual battery charging times and actively managed in execution by making use of natural breaks and dwell times, monitoring battery levels, and selecting the most cost-effective charging locations. Charging power is also a lever here: fast charging is more expensive and places greater strain on the batteries.

This is highly manageable with specialized systems that combine real-time information on vehicle state of charge with route plans, including departure times, route length, weather and temperature data, as well as electricity price forecasts across different charging points. These systems make it possible to deploy vehicles optimally, generate power and charging schedules, and continuously monitor execution.

Electric trucks will predictably deliver cost savings and regulatory certainty

Companies that take a systematic approach now, by preparing sites from an infrastructure standpoint, implementing smart processes and systems, and planning for energy management and on-site generation, can significantly reduce transport costs within the next few years while also future-proofing their operations. Electric trucks are then not only cleaner, but simply cheaper, and therefore a competitive advantage.