Work culture and skills gap
The introduction of electrified logistics will affect the people in the system. The work environment for drivers, traffic planners and service personnel, among others, will be affected and the need for behavioral changes, skills development and new professions will be created.
In REEL, we study the demonstrations that are taking place, and discuss with the participating parties and the people in the system to create an understanding of how it affects the work environment, what effects it has and how it should be handled.
What issues are the basis of our work?
- How is the work environment affected for the system users, such as the driver environment, traffic planning, routes and schedule?
- What behavioral and system changes are required and / or desirable and possible in the actors involved in operating the system?
- Are there new obstacles in the system that can stem the development and thus need to be taken into account?
- Are there system parameters that affect men's and women's experiences differently?
- What type of skills development needs to take place and possibly society support for efficient transformation into, and operation of, regional electrified logistics systems?
- Which information gaps regarding electrified logistics need to be filled and which actors need to receive this information regarding, for example, acceptance of the solution?
This result has emerged from the interviews
The driver
The most common change mentioned by the transport companies in regard to the driver is the improvement of the working conditions. Their workplace becomes much quieter, less stressful with less vibrations. Manoeuvrability, especially in city traffic is perceived as being much better since the truck is much more responsive. Range anxiety disappears rather quickly, as the driver gets to know the vehicle over time. Eco-Driving gains even more importance with electric trucks as the range is heavily influenced by the individual driving style.
As the vehicle becomes much more quiet, other noises become more noticeable, such as the sound from the cooling unit, often located behind the cabin. The absence of external noise from the vehicle results in pedestrians reacting to the oncoming truck much later, putting more responsibility on the driver.
Other professional groups
The working conditions for the warehouse staff and the vehicle maintenance personnel improves as well as the noise levels reduce drastically. Customers receiving an electric truck take pride in having their goods delivered with the help of new technology. Consequently, the driver of the electric truck obtains a renewed status among the customers as they are taking interest in their working tool which develops their relationship.
Maintenance and body-builder personnel poses new challenges. Electric vehicles create a need for re-certified personnel which has previously worked with completely different powertrains. New safety requirements are emerging, as the electric powertrain requires maintenance and superstructure builder staff working with much higher currents than previously. Education of personnel must not become a hurdle in the transition.
Re-education activities are also needed for the sales organization. Multiple actors raise that there are often discrepancies in what is communicated from OEMs’ local sales compared to national sales organizations.
Transport management will have new constraints to consider when planning the operation of electric vehicles which creates requirement for new supporting management systems, able to take these new factors into account.
Listen to what the working environment is like in an electrified garbage truck!
In Swedish only.
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