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FM Logistic focuses on zero emissions

More than 1.81 tonnes of CO2 saved after a nearly 1,900-kilometre drive – that’s one of the results of a recently completed electric fleet test.

On January 11, 2024

Electromobility was undoubtedly one of the most often used words in 2023 in the context of the TSL industry. It was also one of the most popular words at FM Logistic. The logistics operator is moving from words to actions, looking for solutions to implement sustainable development strategies in transportation. More than 1.81 tonnes of CO2 saved after a nearly 1,900-kilometre drive – that’s one of the results of a recently completed electric fleet test. This time they were carried out with Makro and Lotte Wedel.

FM Logistic monitors the environmental impact of its clients’ transport in order to choose the best combination of transport solutions based on reliable data on CO2 emissions and air pollution. The company cooperates with partners to be able to offer alternative energy sources for transport. The experience and data gathered from previous tests on a smaller car encouraged the company to extend the test programme to larger vehicles. A refrigerated trailer from FM Logistic’s fleet transported goods from the FMCG industry clients – Makro and Lotte Wedel. These were fresh products such as vegetables, fruit, and meat, as well as chocolate products. – We closely follow and actively engage with FM Logistic’s efforts to create more sustainable transport solutions through the development of electromobility.It is an integral part of Wedel’s value chain, so we are pleased that both our companies share this approach. It also fits into the nature of our planned CO2 reduction initiatives, which will be the next step after calculating our organisation’s carbon footprint – explains Aleksandra Kusz vel Sobczuk, Head of Corporate Communications and ESG at Lotte Wedel.

During the eight days of testing, the truck travelled nearly 1,900 km and made 11 deliveries between Mszczonów and Warsaw, transporting goods in temperature-controlled conditions, which further increased the analytical value of the tests.

Temperature-controlled transport is an important part of the services we offer. During the tests, we wanted to see how an electric truck would perform in this segment. The tests provided us with valuable information on how the range of the vehicle changes depending on various factors, such as the road type (expressway, local or urban roads), traffic density, weather conditions, the weight of the load, the driver’s driving style and the rolling resistance achieved. Moreover, we investigated how recuperation affects the vehicle’s range, checked how much energy can be recovered and identified optimal locations and charger’s power requirements. By analysing this data, we will be able to assess the feasibility of electric trucks in the transport sector and help develop the right business strategy along with a detailed fleet electrification plan according to the industry and region of the country – explains Andrzej Wacyk, Transport Administration and Support Director – Central Europe, who oversees the implementation of the electromobility strategy at FM Logistic.

Development of electric transport

Access to charging infrastructure is one of the key challenges in fleet electrification. According to the latest report “Polish EV Outlook 2023” prepared by the Polish Alternative Fuels Association (PSPA), so far only 10 out of 37 obligated local authorities have fulfilled their obligations regarding the minimum number of charging points indicated in the Act on Electromobility and Alternative Fuels. Meanwhile, the deadline for these requirements was March 2021. The data presented in the PSPA report also shows that almost 60% of publicly available charging stations can be found in 37 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Warsaw takes the lead, with Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków and Szczecin following behind. Among the voivodships, the Mazowieckie voivodship is the leader, with a share of over 17% in the Polish infrastructure network. It is followed by the Śląskie (13.1%) and Pomorskie (9.8%) voivodships. The lowest share is found in the Świętokrzyskie voivodship (1.1%), the Lubelskie voivodship (1.8%) and the Lubuskie and Podlaskie voivodships (2% each).

Currently, planning long-distance transportation with electric vehicles is difficult, so this type of fleet is used mainly for local distribution. Car manufacturers are still working on increasing battery capacity, but the key to the development of electric transport will be the expansion of the charging network, especially along motorways and expressways. This is particularly important considering that the number of registered cars is constantly going up. According to the data from the Electromobility Counter, at the end of November 2023, the number of registered electric vehicles in Poland reached 94,000 – an increase of 54% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the number of electrically powered vans and trucks has already reached 5,600 – a clear sign that electric solutions are also gaining ground in the freight transport sector.

Transport 4.0

The test vehicle itself, equipped with modern solutions, received positive feedback from drivers. The cabin is quiet and the driving comfort has been significantly improved. The technical parameters of the vehicle, the telematics solutions, as well as the ease of operation, were also rated highly. Comfort, however, is not the key issue. By replacing the combustion engine with an electric motor, CO2 emissions were reduced by more than 1.81 tonnes over a distance of 1,900 km.

Such results are encouraging, as they bring us closer to the implementation of the Transport 4.0 plan, which is one of the elements of the Powering 2030 strategy adopted by FM Logistic in 2021 – adds Andrzej Wacyk.

The strategy aims to build sustainable logistics and environmentally friendly, responsible supply chains. As a result, a change in consumer habits and conscious and sustainable consumption are to be achieved.

In 2024, FM Logistic plans to continue the transformation project towards zero-emission transport. Several tests have already been planned for vehicles from different segments and different brands targeting urban distribution, local transport, heavyweight transport, and transport of medicines and fresh products. FM Logistic will be implementing the first long-term project using an electric truck on regular routes at the beginning of the year. – We are very pleased that more and more clients want to change the future for the better with us and are looking for savings in the carbon footprint of their business – concludes Andrzej Wacyk.