ZUKUNFT.DE Electrification of 1,000 e-transporters in last-mile logistics

"Customer-friendly, sustainable, flexible, and transparent delivery services. Through zero emissions" (ZUKUNFT.DE for short) was the research consortium’s guiding principle, which went far beyond mere vehicle procurement and the installation of charging infrastructure.

In the project, the delivery vans were subjected to a real-world stress test; criteria were defined for how depot locations must be conceptually prepared for the use of electric vans—including considerations for charging infrastructure development—and solutions were found to adapt operational processes resulting from electrification.

From a scientific perspective, a wealth of meaningful data was obtained from a broad-based qualitative and quantitative survey of real-world operations. In addition, a model was developed for the first time that enables the optimization of route planning when using electric vans.

For the participating parcel delivery services, the project marked the start of a comprehensive electrification of delivery operations. All four companies have since developed plans for the further electrification of their fleets even after the project’s conclusion. ZUKUNFT.DE thus represents the hoped-for initial spark for the electrification of the last mile in parcel delivery.

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has provided approximately 20 million euros in funding for this project, of which just under 5.2 million euros is earmarked for research activities and an additional 14.8 million euros for investment measures related to the procurement of charging infrastructure and vehicles.

hysolutions has taken on project coordination in collaboration with e-mobil BW and the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport, and Housing.