Electric trucks are developed at a staggering speed

Traffic and logistics

Åke Nyblom, Managing Director of Ahola Transport says that the operating range of the company’s first electric truck, a 32-tonne articulated vehicle, was 140 kilometres.

“A year later we bought this 64-tonne truck used in the green cargo corridor with a range of 300 kilometres. Now we are buying a new 44-tonne truck with a range of up to 600 kilometres.”

Åke Nyblom, Managing Director of Ahola Transport says that Ahola Transport has had positive experiences with electric trucks. The price and range of the vehicles and the lack of charging infrastructure, however, slow down more common use thereof.

Ahola Transport has had positive experiences with electric trucks. The price and range of the vehicles and the lack of charging infrastructure, however, slow down more common use thereof. According to Traficom’s statistics, only 3–4% of the trucks first registered in Finland and imported used trucks run on alternative power, and less than one-third of those are electrically powered. At present, electric trucks are best suited to regular routes with good charging facilities available along them.

“The electrification of the vehicle stock is slow, and the reasons for that include the purchase price of the vehicles as well as political decision-making and the development of the charging infrastructure”, Mr Nyblom contemplates. He nevertheless adds that for Ahola Transport, electricity and other renewable energy sources will be the number one choices when replacing vehicles by 2030.

He sums up that both road and sea transports – and the combinations thereof – are undergoing a major transition. Ahola Transport wants to be a pioneer and prepare for the future.

“Electric trucks bring many new things to learn: for example, how to verify that the electricity used is emission-free. On the other hand, the production of electric energy using, for example, solar panels, and the storage and sales of the energy may generate new earnings logistics in the field, and at the least changes in the operating procedures”, Mr Nyblom envisions.

Text: Matti Välimäki
Photos: Ahola Transport