Spotlight: Electrification of commercial vehicles

The electrification of heavy-duty transportation is no longer a vision for the future— it is an operational reality. However, the transition to electric vehicles presents fleet operators and municipal services with new challenges: How can vehicle availability be maximized? How can batteries be used optimally without shortening their service life? How can the flood of data be transformed into concrete recommendations for action, and how can electric commercial vehicles be charged safely, quickly, and in a space-efficient manner without costly overhauls of existing operational structures?

With the IVImon analysis platform, the Underbody Charging System (UBCS), and a wide range of consulting services, Fraunhofer IVI offers answers to these questions.

Economic and political conditions are currently creating favorable circumstances for the transition to e-mobility. The German federal government is supporting the expansion of charging infrastructure for battery-electric heavy-duty commercial vehicles—including both company-owned depot solutions and publicly accessible charging stations. At the same time, the toll exemption for zero-emission trucks has been extended through mid-2031, providing companies with longterm planning certainty and enabling them to achieve significant operational cost savings compared to diesel vehicles. Rising diesel prices, as well as stricter climate protection and CO₂ targets, are also increasing the economic pressure to decarbonize road freight transport. At the same time, real-world examples from the logistics sector show that electric trucks can already be operated profitably today, particularly in regional transport and especially when using in-house charging solutions that enable high vehicle utilization rates. Added to this are technological advances in range, charging speed, and charging infrastructure. Against this backdrop, now is a particularly opportune time to invest in e-mobility, gain experience, and benefit from subsidies and regulatory advantages.

Comprehensive support for the transition to electric vehicles

Fraunhofer IVI works hand in hand with partners from industry and academia and draws on in-depth expertise in the development of disruptive technologies. The institute‘s researchers analyze the specific requirements derived from each operator’s or municipality’s particular use case and identify the core objectives of the innovation. This leads to cost- and energy-efficient solutions for the electric mobility challenges of tomorrow.

Beyond charging infrastructure, the institute provides consulting on all aspects of the transition to electric vehicles—from operational planning to calculating economic viability—and works with users to develop appropriate implementation strategies. Fleet operators, municipal services, and logistics companies thus receive support throughout the entire value chain, including fleet design, the development of operational and charging strategies, and assistance with issues of data sovereignty in battery monitoring and analysis.

Intelligent charging infrastructure as the key to availability

Whether for light vehicle fleets, heavy trucks, ferries, or large machinery: Professional users need charging processes that do not slow down operations. Specifically, this means that maximum amounts of energy must be transferred in the shortest possible time without disrupting workflows and with minimal effort on the part of the operating staff. An optimal charging system integrates seamlessly into the operational schedule, requires virtually no user interaction, and thus ensures maximum equipment availability.