As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, Rinnen recently joined forces with Covestro in a pilot project to test the use of an e-truck for chemical transport. The goal: to explore the potential of electric mobility in hazardous goods logistics and move closer to a climate-friendly future.
What We Tested
In this pilot, the e-truck carried out two deliveries of MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) to Kingspan in Winterswijk. The total transported load was 48 tonnes – demonstrating that electric trucks are capable of handling complex and safety-sensitive cargo.
Key Benefits of E-Truck Transport
- Energy Savings: The electric truck used over 50% less energy than a traditional diesel truck.
- CO₂ Reduction: When powered by renewable electricity, the e-truck operates with nearly zero carbon emissions.
- Noise Reduction: Electric trucks offer quieter operations, contributing to reduced noise pollution – especially important in urban or residential areas.
Challenges Identified
Despite the positive results, several challenges remain:
- Limited availability of ADR-approved e-trucks for transporting hazardous materials.
- Payload reduction of approximately 1.5 tonnes due to battery weight.
- Insufficient infrastructure at loading and unloading points, especially in ATEX zones.
- Dependence on external power sources during unloading operations.
What’s Needed for Broader Adoption
For e-truck transport to become a reliable and scalable solution in chemical logistics, we need:
- Adjustments to legal weight limits to compensate for heavy batteries.
- A wider range of ADR-compliant electric truck models from manufacturers.
- Greater collaboration between logistics partners to develop adequate charging and safety infrastructure.
Moving Forward
This pilot project is a meaningful first step in our journey toward greener transport. At Rinnen, we believe in testing, learning, and improving together. We thank all teams and partners involved and look forward to expanding the role of e-trucks in our operations.
It’s not just our trucks that are green, but above all, the way we work. Sustainable transport starts here – and the electric truck is driving us forward.
