Aldi Süd uses electric truck

40-ton truck with cooling function

The discounter Aldi Süd from Mühlheim is testing an electric truck with an integrated cooling function to supply 50 stores in the Ruhr area. The test phase is scheduled for five years. The electric truck will be charged with green electricity from hydropower or the company’s own photovoltaic system. An appropriate charging station is located at the discounters’ logistics center.

The cooling unit is also electrically driven. This allows the regulation of several temperature zones in the hold. NRW transport minister Hendrik Wüst praised the test phase and described the project as an important contribution so achieving the climate targets.

First 40-ton truck with electric drive in the food retailing

The prototype is a converted conventional truck. For this project Aldi has collaborated with their partner Framo. The electric truck is the first 40-ton truck with refrigeration unit in the German food retailing.

The company wants to use the test phase to check whether the truck will also prove itself in practice and therefore is an alternative to the combustion engine in the distribution of goods, according to a spokesman of the food retailer. In the summer of 2018, natural gas trucks were already rolling across the street for the discounters. They are currently tested in four regional companies. “Our goal is to permanently reduce the fuel consumption of our vehicle fleet. For years, we have relied on state-of-the-art technology and optimum route planning in branch logistics. The tests with alternative drives complement our commitment to sustainable logistics” says Andreas Kremer, Head of Logistics Management at Aldi Süd.

Picture: ©ALDI SÜD