Vehicles worth fighting for

“When we acquire a new electric vehicle, the drivers compete to drive it. Electrification creates a fantastic working environment that is quiet for the drivers. Customers also appreciate it, and for larger purchases, it is often a requirement that the last-mile delivery is electrified or fossil-free,” says Calle Svantesson, traffic manager at Falkenklev Logistik.

The company has a total of 260 vehicles, and among them, ten smaller delivery vans and five trucks are electric today. The plan is to electrify the entire vehicle fleet operating in Malmö, and the long-term goal is for the transport company to have a fully self-sustaining system with self-produced solar power, charging stations, and electric trucks.

— If we had sufficient charging infrastructure throughout the country, I wouldn't have to think so much about whether I should send an electric or diesel-powered vehicle. But it is a significant challenge today. When it comes to heavy traffic, it would have been very difficult without our own charging park," says Calle Svantesson, referring to the Rifill charging park that opened in October 2022.

Erikssons Åkeri in Tomelilla also charges their vehicles there. The company has electrified nine percent of its vehicle fleet and is pleased with the change.

“To enable electrification, we've had to make some changes in route planning for the transport managers to include natural stops during the day. We've solved the lack of charging infrastructure by establishing simpler routes in collaboration with our customers, transport buyers, and goods receivers. Reliability is essential, and that's what makes many hesitate to electrify. So, I would just say to others: dare to try it because it works very well and is very reliable,” says Christian Pederson, Key Account Manager at Erikssons Åkeri in Tomelilla.

The video also provides perspectives from other parts of the value chain - KLS, a food company willing to pay more for sustainable transportation, and Österlens Lastvagnar, a retailer that needed to train its staff for new types of vehicles.

Read more about how REEL is working for a faster transition to electrified heavy transportation >

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