BMW Group Logistik, in collaboration with the know-how innovator Trailer Dynamics, has efficiently examined an electrically powered semi-trailer on numerous tracks and over various distances in real-world logistics operations.
With the diesel truck used, common gas financial savings of greater than 46 % over quick and medium distances, and greater than 48 % over lengthy distances, had been attained. Utilizing a mix of electrical tractor and e-trailer, a variety of greater than 600 kilometres with out recharging was achieved. There have been 4 days of pilot exams over quick and medium distances across the BMW Group location at Dingolfing, and three days of testing over lengthy distances between Mamming in Decrease Bavaria and the BMW Group plant in Leipzig.
The capabilities of Trailer Dynamics’ e-trailer had been put to the check to establish the very best utility eventualities for BMW Group Logistik.
“Because the BMW Group, we’re – as the primary German automobile producer – a member of the ‘Enterprise Ambition for 1.5°C’ of the Science-Primarily based Targets Initiative and are dedicated to the goal of full local weather neutrality all through your entire worth chain. Due to this fact, we’re utilizing visionary initiatives to constantly speed up the BMW Group’s Inexperienced Transport Logistics technique. The pilot testing with Trailer Dynamics’ e-trailer confirmed that utilizing this type of electrified semi-trailer considerably reduces the gas consumption of normal diesel tractors and noticeably will increase the vary of e-trucks,” stated Michael Nikolaides, Head of BMW Group Manufacturing Community and Logistics.
Not like a standard semi-trailer, the e-trailer from Trailer Dynamics of Eschweiler close to Aachen is fitted with its personal battery and electrical drive axle. This axle helps the semi-trailer truck’s engine. Built-in sensors on the kingpin between the tractor and the trailer guarantee an optimum load ratio and thus the best-possible gas financial system. In addition to lowering the tractor’s power consumption, the e-trailer’s powered axle additionally supplies further energy throughout start-up and on slopes. Together with a diesel truck, safety of provide can be ensured even when the battery of the e‑trailer is empty.
The exams over a medium distance came about over 4 consecutive days on actual logistics routes across the BMW Group location of Dingolfing. The spherical journey transportations with demanding route topographies had been carried out with the logistics service supplier Gahr Worldwide. As much as 250 kilometres had been lined per day on motorways and foremost roads, with automated and simultaneous knowledge assortment from the e-trailer and tractor being carried out for the primary time. That confirmed a median discount in diesel consumption of 46.59 %.
The lengthy distance exams had been additionally carried out on actual logistics routes and with a load of greater than 16 tonnes between Leipzig and Mamming. Power modules for BMW electrical vehicles had been transported over a distance of 450 kilometres with primarily on motorways. In contrast with journeys with a standard trailer and equivalent load, this resulted in diesel financial savings of greater than 48 % on common. The e-trailer’s battery was charged carbon neutrally utilizing one hundred pc inexperienced power, which means that with sequence utility, a single electrical trailer might facilitate a CO2 discount of round 120 tonnes per yr (“Properly to Wheel”).
A one hundred pc discount in CO2 whereas concurrently enabling long-distance routes might be achieved by combining an e-trailer with an electrical tractor and one hundred pc inexperienced electrical energy. This situation was examined on the ultimate day of medium-distance testing within the Dingolfing space utilizing a Volvo e‑truck. With a standard load, a driving distance of greater than 600 kilometres was achieved with out recharging.
The gas financial savings when utilizing e-trailers are counterbalanced by their heavier weight and the ensuing decrease payload, however that is partially offset by a rise within the permissible whole weight for trailers within the EU. The upper acquisition prices of the e-trailer are counteracted by decrease working prices. Over lengthy distances particularly, using e-trailers can facilitate a major decarbonisation of the present fleet whereas concurrently saving prices.
Trailer Dynamics’ imaginative and prescient is to make a major contribution to decarbonising the financial system with e-trailers and to advertise sustainable, and ideally zero-emission, logistics. With our accomplice BMW and the forwarding brokers Gahr Worldwide and Elflein Spedition & Transport, with these check drives we’re taking the subsequent vital step in making our imaginative and prescient a actuality,” stated Abdullah Jaber, CEO and Managing Director Trailer Dynamics GmbH.
With the visionary e-trailer pilot initiatives, the BMW Group is accelerating the systematic implementation of their ‘Inexperienced Transport Logistics’ technique. This cross-sector technique is an integral component of the BMW iFACTORY. “You will need to us to help the event of revolutionary applied sciences in transport logistics. Establishing improvements like these helps our logistics companions and us to scale back CO₂ emissions and enhance the general footprint,” defined Michael Nikolaides.
Oct 29, 2023