We’ve got a big old (electric truck) convoy . . .
E.ON presents the first eTruckathon, a 300-mile convoy of the biggest players in electric transport, showing the possibilities of the technology today.
Twelve e-trucks, twelve teams, 300 kilometres: our first eTruckathon event displayed the practicality and suitability of electric and fuel cell trucks and the associated charging and hydrogen infrastructure.
This ground-breaking activity united 12 leading vehicle manufacturers, logistics companies, and E.ON’s e-mobility and Hydrogen experts to demonstrate the future of heavy-duty transport.
We brought together leading vehicle manufacturers and logistics companies such as Daimler Truck, DB Schenker, DHL, Hyundai, MAN and Renault for a joint long-distance test in real-world circumstances. The starting point was our E.ON Drive TestingLab in Essen, where we develop and test charging solutions for e-mobility and the future energy home, along 300km of motorways and country roads, ending at the IAA Transportation event in Hanover, Germany.
Although the range of the trucks was sufficient for the entire route, charging stops were planned to demonstrate the suitability of charging for everyday use in the haulage and logistics industry, answering the key questions, such as:
· How far can an eTruck go on one charge?
· How fast can it be charged?
· What does megawatt charging mean in practice?
“In many areas, electric and hydrogen trucks are already suitable for everyday use. The technologies are available. In the coming years, it will be a matter of bringing them into widespread and affordable use. On the industry side, we are not waiting for this future, we are simply implementing it.”
Marc Spieker, Chief Operating Officer at E.ON (pictured)
“The eTruckathon provides a clear and practical demonstration of how the transformation to sustainable mobility in freight transport can be successfully implemented.”
Jürgen Mindel, Managing Director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)
The eTruckathon is more than just a test drive, it’s a demonstration of the current capabilities and future potential of electric and hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transport. The event underscores the fact that sustainable logistics is not a distant aspiration but an achievable reality. It highlights how leading industry players are already integrating these technologies into their operations and making significant strides towards a greener future.
By showcasing their solutions and engaging with key stakeholders, E.ON aims to strengthen its role as a facilitator of sustainable logistics, recently seen with the launch of the E.ON Drive TestingLab and the agreement with MAN to build a charging network for electric trucks in Europe.