To reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2030, the grocery company COOP in Norway investigates how this goal can be achieved at the lowest possible cost. A case study is performed on COOP’s logistical centre in Trondheim with 19 trucks.

The paper uses a two-step approach where step 1 evaluates the current routes using a Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) model that considers maximum driving distance of both single and semi E-trucks, as well as other technical restrictions. Next, step 2 identifies the optimal mix of E-trucks and biogas trucks, including the most cost optimal way of charging the E-trucks, using a mixed integer linear modelling approach (MILP) with hourly time resolution.

The results are as follows. The VRP model finds that the annual distance can be reduced by 8.1%. Additionally, the required number of vehicles is reduces from 19 to 15, while increasing the utilization of the truck fleet. The single trucks have an average capacity utilization of 81% to 84%, while the semi trucks operate with a capacity utilization of around 85%. This, combined with more efficient routes and a reduced number of trucks, increases the average distance of each truck annually by 17.8%, from 43,000 km to 50,388 km.

The optimal mix of electric and biogas trucks, assuming the E-trucks could rely only on depot charging, was a composition of 53% to 73% electric trucks, depending on the various input parameters. The total cost of ownership (TCO) of the truck fleet was calculated to be between 15.74 and 16 NOK per kilometer driven. The majority of the electric trucks are Scania trucks, which have the largest battery capacity (780 kWh). These trucks are chosen due to operating routes, which require a longer driving range than the battery capacity of the Volvo truck (624 kWh) can provide. Furthermore, if the E-trucks can rely on depot and mid-route charging, the truck fleet can be 100% electric.

The break-even point between biogas trucks and E-trucks depends are as follows. Single E-trucks require additional distance to be cost-competitive with biogas trucks compared to Semi E-trucks due to lower energy consumption. A single truck with 540 kWh needs to drive minimum 35,000 km, while a Semi truck requires an annual distance of 26,000 km.

Overall, the paper concludes that optimizing the routes can effectively reduce the number of required trucks and the annual distance covered by the truck fleet. The battery capacity and charging strategy of electric trucks should be tailored to the distance requirements of each specific route operated by the vehicle. However, based on this case study, most electric trucks would reduce TCO by using a lower battery capacity and allowing both depot and mid-route charging. This reduces CAPEX and creates flexible solutions for longer route distances. Additionally, electric trucks with depot and mid route charging provide higher flexibility for potential route changes in the future.