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12/09/2024

Logistics service provider EUTRACO invests in the largest electric fleet in the country

Logistics service provider EUTRACO invests in the largest electric fleet in the country

Logistics service provider EUTRACO invests in the largest electric fleet in the country

50 electric Mercedes-Benz trucks to replace one-third of the fleet starting next year

WILLEBROEK, Thursday, September 12, 2024. The West Flanders-based logistics company EUTRACO is making a significant investment in the electrification of its fleet. The company is purchasing 50 eActros 600 trucks from Mercedes-Benz dealer Ghistelinck Autobedrijven in Waregem, thereby electrifying one-third of its fleet in one go. This represents an investment of 14 million euros. EUTRACO will be the first logistics player in Belgium to have such a large fleet of electric trucks. "We have made a fundamental decision to fully commit to the sustainability of our fleet. Sustainable transport with electric trucks is indeed possible at the same cost as diesel trucks," says CEO Serge Gregoir. EUTRACO aims to become the third-largest logistics player in the Belgian market in the short term.

Currently, EUTRACO operates 160 diesel vehicles, transporting various goods between customers and its own or external warehouses across the Benelux and France. But starting next year, diesel will become a thing of the past. EUTRACO is fully committed to the electrification of its fleet. By the end of 2025, the first of the 50 electric trucks will be delivered by Ghistelinck Autobedrijven, part of a 14 million euro investment. EUTRACO is electrifying one-third of its fleet in a single step, phasing out diesel trucks gradually.

"It is a clear strategic choice for us to fully embrace sustainable transport. Unlike hydrogen-powered trucks, electric trucks are already technologically advanced. They have a range of 500 km and can be charged quickly, which fits perfectly within our core activities," says Serge Gregoir, CEO of EUTRACO.

EUTRACO is a logistics company that transports almost everything, from fast-moving consumer goods and retail products to goods from industrial sectors like construction, light chemicals, and energy. Its customer portfolio is highly diverse, with companies like Coca-Cola European Partners, GB Foods, Betafence, HUBO, and Longi relying on EUTRACO for comprehensive logistics solutions.

Focus on Green Transformation

With the purchase of these 50 trucks, EUTRACO is setting the tone in the country, as no other logistics company has yet operated such a large fleet of electric trucks.

"We are serious about our focus on greening our fleet. We also notice that our customers are genuinely interested in sustainability and carbon neutrality. It's our mission and moral responsibility to ensure this, at the same price. We guarantee our customers that we will reduce their CO2 emissions by a clearly calculated number of tons," says Serge Gregoir, CEO of EUTRACO.

While an electric truck is more expensive to purchase than a diesel model, the total cost of ownership (TCO) after 8 years is the same as that of a diesel truck.

EUTRACO’s sites across the country (Willebroek, Ghent, Roeselare) will soon be further equipped with charging stations, charging squares, and large batteries, allowing all trucks to be charged on-site. Up to 75% of this will be powered by green electricity from its own solar panels, combined with its battery systems.

Daimler Truck's Flagship

The eActros 600 is one of the flagship models of Daimler Truck, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses. The truck boasts a battery capacity of 600 kWh, based on lithium-iron-phosphate cell technology. Thanks to this technology, the battery can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in just half an hour using megawatt charging. The truck has a range of 500 km, allowing for all trips to be completed without the need for additional charging on the road.

The vehicle is technically designed for a combined GVW (gross vehicle weight) of up to 44 tons. Its acceleration power and silent operation provide a high level of comfort for the driver, enabling full concentration on the road, supported by state-of-the-art safety systems.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with EUTRACO. Our electric trucks are highly efficient and undeniably contribute to the greening of logistics fleets like EUTRACO’s," says Peter Brock, CEO of Daimler Truck BeLux.

Ghistelinck Autobedrijven sees this deal as the success of strong cohesion between the various partners that are part of the 360° ecosystem surrounding EUTRACO’s strategic shift.

"This deal is the result of an in-depth needs analysis, which led to a custom project in close collaboration with Daimler Truck Financial Services Benelux, Daimler Truck BeLux, and our own sales, service, and connectivity departments," says Vincent Yserbyt, CEO of Ghistelinck Automotive.

Production will begin early next year, with most of the order being delivered by the end of 2025.

About EUTRACO

EUTRACO started in 1967 as a transport company in Roeselare. From a small family business, it quickly grew into a driven and dynamic logistics player with an extensive customer base. In 2017, Serge Gregoir joined as CEO and led an ambitious growth plan for the future. Today, 470 people are employed full-time, with 200 subcontractors. EUTRACO operates 15 sites across the country. By the end of 2025, the group will manage 685,000 m² of logistics operations, accounting for ongoing construction projects. It has 160 own trucks with 450 trailers/chassis. In 2021, it won the Logistics Building of the Year Award for Belgium's first CO2-neutral logistics building.

More information on the eActros 600 can be found at https://media.be.daimlertruck.com.