Europe aims to become the first CO2-neutral continent by 2050, as part of the “Green Deal.” A key focus is the transformation of the transport sector, which significantly contributes to emissions. Leading this effort is the electrification of vehicles, exemplified by the EU-funded “ZEFES” project (Zero Emissions Flexible Vehicle Platforms with Modular Powertrains Serving the Long-Haul Freight Eco System). Gruber Logistics, a partner in the ZEFES project, has initiated real-world data collection to understand the current dynamics of long-distance heavy goods transport. This involves analyzing vehicle stops, braking patterns, and speeds on various route segments. The data will assess the feasibility and performance of future fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
The ZEFES project is a collaboration of 40 partners from 14 nations, supported by a budget of nearly €40 million (approximately £34 million). The project conducts extensive tests with both battery electric trucks and FCEVs. Since February 2024, Gruber Logistics has focused on a route from Verona to southern Germany via the Brenner Pass, using diesel vehicles to establish a performance baseline before deploying FCEVs. In collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute, which developed a data collection device and API, as well as companies RICARDO, TNO, and Scania, Gruber Logistics aims to ensure high-precision data analysis. This setup captures data in fractions of a second, offering higher quality compared to traditional methods relying on fleet management systems or mobile communications.
The data collection outcomes will help evaluate the practicality of FCEVs and promote wider acceptance of zero-emission vehicles. Initiated in January 2023 and running until 2026, the ZEFES project aims to revolutionize logistics through modular vehicles. These innovations promise cost savings and new business opportunities for logistics companies. Gruber Logistics, in partnership with Scania, will use the collected data to refine prototypes already in operation and inform future developments.
Martin Gruber, Managing Director of Gruber Logistics, stated, “Gruber Logistics is pursuing a sustainable, future-oriented strategy. We believe the entire transport sector will and must move in this direction, and we aim to help drive this development forward. “ZEFES shows a new paradigm where transport companies are not just final users but co-designers of new electric and hydrogen vehicles. To optimize such vehicles, we need new logistics models, and it is necessary that the vehicles are designed in relation to new utilization. We need a different kind of logistics.”
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