The logistics industry is an environmentally burdensome sector, so all actors in the supply chain must take steps to reduce these environmental impacts.
The latest direction is the introduction of the operational use of the electric drive chain. Trans-Sped embarked on this development in Debrecen together with its strategic partner, Schaeffler. The task to be solved was the electric replacement of a daily, previously diesel-powered transport run between the factory and the warehouse in an urban environment. This continuous forwarding task totalling 95 km in 4 rounds per day represents a total of 34,000 km travelled annually, which means the project will save the city of Debrecen 40,000 kg of CO2 emissions.
The two companies decided on the innovation provided by the company Electromega, in which factory-made diesel trucks are converted and equipped with electric drivetrains, specifically for urban and industrial applications. “The vehicle converted in this way is fully capable of performing the above continuous transport task, and on top of that, the introduction of the technology is significantly more cost-effective, reducing annually 40,000 kg of CO2 and frees the city from approx. 6.3 kg of NOx pollution. In addition, noise and airborne dust pollution are also significantly reduced” – said Szabolcs Fülöp, Managing Director at Trans-Sped.
Trans-Sped and Schaeffler committed to implementation in the first half of the year. "An important argument in favour of the chosen solution was that this solution could be implemented as early as 2022, and although it involves a significant investment, it will have many positive effects for the city in addition to the long-term economic benefits. Schaeffler Hungary is happy to participate in this kind of cooperation, electromobility and related innovations and developments are prioritized at our company as well” – said Péter Szabó, Managing Director of Schaeffler Hungary.
The vehicle has been converted successfully and is currently undergoing test operation. With the introduction of the new environmentally friendly truck, in addition to the reduction of the emission of harmful substances, the environmental load caused by transportation is decreased. The advantages of this will be enjoyed not only by the contracting parties, but also by the wider community, the population of the city of Debrecen.
In addition to the design of the electric truck, Trans-Sped launched developments in many areas towards sustainable operation.
It launched a comprehensive energy efficiency program regarding its warehouse operations, where LED lighting and heat pump heating are used in the heated warehouses, and in addition, plans are being made to replace some of the fossil energy used with solar panels installed on the roofs of the warehouses. Where conditions permit, gas-powered forklifts are replaced by electric vehicles, and from 2021, under the name Trans-Sped ZERO, the company started delivery without single-use packaging in Budapest and Pest County, and the service is now also available in the Tata and Szolnok regions.