BASF Coatings Relies on Electric Trucks for Long-Distance Transport

BASF Coatings has successfully completed an electric trucks testing phase with over 10,000 kilometres, reducing CO₂ emissions by 45%.

The Coatings division of the global specialty chemicals manufacturer BASF has recently announced that it has partnered with Koch International in order to test the implementation of electric trucks for long-distances transportations. The cooperation with the international logistics service provider based in Osnabrück (Germany) is part of the comprehensive sustainability approach of BASF, that is investing on innovative solutions for an ecological future along the entire value chain.

“Sustainability is a central component of the corporate philosophy of BASF Coatings: we develop environmentally-friendly products and processes and implement sustainable practices in our businesses. Together with our partners like Koch International, we take responsibility and develop innovative technologies and solutions that reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions”, has stated Markus Piepenbrink, the head of the sustainability at BASF Coatings.

Over the course of the testing phase, that lasted around four weeks, the selected electric vehicles specifically designed for long-distance transport and equipped with state-of-the-art technologies covered over 10,000 km with more than 2,000 tons of cargo. Preliminary tests and the resulting data provided the foundation of the partnership, while the final analysis and evaluation – which included factors such as range, charging times and energy consumption – confirmed a 45% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to a diesel truck.

“The results of our pioneering test between our three German locations for long distances clearly demonstrated that electric trucks represent a promising solution along our entire value chain and that operational handling is already possible today. With further developments regarding charging infrastructure and truck technology, it is only logical that we have adopted this practice into regular operation and can thus already reduce CO₂ emissions in plant-to-plant transport,” has commented Victor Kaupe, the head of the regional transport management and logistics operations for the Coatings unit of BASF in the EMEA region.

Additionally, the test showed that the energy required was significantly lower. Both companies are then now planning to deploy more electric trucks, integrate additional European locations and expand the charging infrastructures in the interested sites.

“The existing data, particularly concerning the range and energy consumption of the electric trucks, is convincing. The vehicles thus make a significant contribution to sustainability, both for us and our partners. The results strengthen our commitment to the continuous integration of electric vehicles into our fleet,” has added Peter Hayn, Team Lead Fleet Management at Koch International.