Engie has teamed up with logistics provider Ceva Logistics and French motorway management firm SANEF to build and operate a network of refuelling and charging stations for hydrogen, biogas, and electric trucks across European motorways. The joint venture, named the European Clean Transport Network Alliance (ECTN Alliance), plans to establish a network of terminals that will enable shippers and freight forwarders to plan their routes and loading plans quickly and efficiently. The initiative aims to decarbonise long-distance truck transport and improve working conditions for long-distance drivers by keeping them closer to home.
The ECTN Alliance is pioneering a holistic approach to decarbonising long-haul trucking, believing that private-public alliances have a key role to play in accelerating climate solutions. In addition to offering different fuels, the concept aims to introduce a trailer-changing system, enabling trailers with cargo to be pulled by different vehicles that always shuttle in a defined area. The changeover will take place at the terminals, and the project hopes to demonstrate its feasibility with a “proof of concept” between Lille and Avignon in France.
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The two-year demonstration project will begin before the end of 2023, transporting 20 trailers a day between the north and southeast of France, powered by 20 tractor units running on biogas, electric propulsion, and green hydrogen. The trailers will be changed at five existing Ceva Logistics sites, with local carriers carrying out pre- and post-carriage transport to and from the test sites. The partners expect the project to provide a rich database for an in-depth understanding of low-carbon truck use for long-distance haulage and options for decarbonising road freight transport in Europe.
The joint venture partners are proud to launch this bold initiative with best-in-class companies, whose combined expertise will contribute to the success of the project. The project is unprecedented and is set to revolutionize the way long-distance truck transport is conducted in Europe. The partners believe that this initiative is only the beginning, and they look forward to scaling the network in the future.
