dena presents market survey at the IAA Transportation
Around 75 per cent of logistics companies have a fundamental interest in investing in battery-electric trucks. The main reasons are customer expectations and the importance of CSR strategies. There are hurdles caused by high acquisition costs and infrastr
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© Hoffotografen
Sebastian Boie
Senior Expert, Communications T: +49 30 66 777 - 168 sebastian.boie(at)dena.de
Berlin, Germany, 18 September 2024. The ‘Plattform Nachhaltiger Schwerlastverkehr’ (the sustainable transport of heavy goods platform) at dena presented the results of a comprehensive market survey at the IAA Transportation in Hanover, Germany. The aim of the survey was to ascertain the current mood in the industry with regard to sustainable drives and their potential for use in the transport of heavy goods. German logistics companies were asked about their willingness to invest in alternative drive systems in cooperation with DSLV Bundesverband Spedition und Logistik e.V., an umbrella association representing freight forwarding and logistics companies in Germany.
The survey shows that the logistics industry is open to investing in zero-emission vehicles. Around 65 per cent of the companies surveyed stated that they would be prepared to invest in fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen combustion engines or electric trucks. The approval rate for battery-electric vehicles (BEV) is particularly high, with three quarters of the companies expressing a fundamental interest. Twenty-two per cent of respondents already have concrete plans to invest in BEVs within the next seven years, compared to 3 per cent for hydrogen vehicles. The main reasons cited by companies for their openness towards zero-emission vehicles were the increased expectations of their customers and the growing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies.
Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of dena, stated, ‘We urgently need to make progress with the transport transition. The survey shows that the companies are ready. An expansion of the infrastructure can further accelerate the transition to alternative drive systems, in addition to market requirements.’
For example, the survey shows that the high purchase costs for alternative drive systems and the refuelling and charging infrastructure, which is still inadequate, represent significant hurdles that are standing in the way of a widespread introduction.
Gas-powered vehicles is where the industry is more reluctant to invest. The willingness to invest in LNG vehicles was 28 per cent and only 14 per cent for CNG vehicles. The savings through the exemption from toll charges were still a key reason for investing in gas drives until this expired at the end of 2023. CSR and customer expectations were also the main reasons for purchasing such a vehicle. Uncertainties regarding the further market development of LNG and CNG vehicles are a key hurdle according to the survey.
It was conducted by dena’s platform for sustainable transport of heavy goods in cooperation with DSLV. The final report, which also contains details on the use of sustainable fuels and support measures, will be published by dena’s platform for sustainable transport of heavy goods in the coming weeks.
About Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency
The German Energy Agency (dena) is a centre of excellence for the applied energy transition and climate protection. Dena studies the challenges of building a climate-neutral society and supports the German government in achieving its energy and climate policy objectives. Since its founding in 2000, dena has worked to develop and implement solutions and bring together national and international partners from politics, industry, the scientific community and all parts of society. Dena is a project enterprise and a public company owned by the German federal government. dena’s shareholders are the Federal Republic of Germany and dena itself.