Transportation & Logistics International Volume 12 - Issue 1 | Page 12

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truck fleet managers have been stuck in a holding pattern , wanting to stay ahead of the competition but also not wanting to step forward without certainty . They ’ ve been held back by concerns around access to fast charging , scalable technology and infrastructure across key transport and freight routes . To provide customers with the confidence that can help them move forward , we ’ re focused on bringing more electric charging infrastructure to logistics hubs , including ports , airports and logistics parks along key road freight routes across Europe . Our hope is that this will drive a wave of solutions , investments and first movers to make a big impact for the sector .
And , indeed , we ’ re already seeing this approach pay dividends , as we look to strategically grow our EV networks at logistics hubs and work with customers to provide tailored solutions at their depots . For instance , Shell opened its first public truck charging facility at Georgswerder Bogen in the Port of Hamburg . Consisting of four highperformance charging stations – the facility lets Shell fuel card customers to charge using renewable energies . eDepot charging is a promising development that enables fleets to charge their vehicles overnight using renewable energy resources – allowing drivers to make the most of their time on the road and reduce carbon emissions .
We ’ ve also established a multi-fuel hub at Eindhoven Acht in the Netherlands . Situated at the heart of the region ’ s transportation sector , this facility offers a mosaic of solutions , including : 300kW charging bays for renewable energy ; Shell BioLNG derived from sustainable biomass ; traditional high-quality diesel ; and Shell Renewable Diesel . The hub accommodated nearly 40,000 trucks last year alone and is the first in a larger network of Shell hybrid stations along major European freight routes . Our Shell ‘ Book and Charge ’ system is making it simpler for drivers to reserve charging bays and guarantee charger availability and , therefore , more convenient for them to make the switch to electric .
What are today ’ s priorities for commercial road transport solutions ? What are the challenges facing the sector and how can these be addressed ? ‘ There are three main challenges for the heavy-duty road transport industry in its journey to a net-zero destination . Firstly , there are 3.5 million road transport companies operating mobility and logistics services . By 2050 , the heavy-duty fleet is projected to reach 80 million vehicles worldwide compared to around 45 million today . Decarbonising these vehicles will take