Building materials dealer Stark tests electric trucks with Fulda University

The German building materials retailer Stark Deutschland GmbH (formerly Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Deutschland GmbH) is participating in a practical test for e-logistics. The project, which the company is using to advance an initiative of the state of Hesse for promoting sustainable transport, was launched on November 29 with the commissioning of the fully electric 26-ton truck with electric forklift.

As a leading German building materials retailer, we bear a great responsibility in the areas of climate protection and sustainability and can count on the support of the Stark Group, based in Copenhagen, outlined Michael Knüppel, CEO of Stark Deutschland.

"As early as March 2021, the Stark Group committed to the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement as part of the 'Science Based Targets.' With the acquisition of the electric truck and the start of the project, we are now aiming towards this goal even more strongly in Germany together with the University of Applied Sciences Fulda and our strong supplier partners. Additionally, we are already working on further sustainability programs along our entire value chain," Knüppel further explained.

Together with the University of Applied Sciences Fulda, industry partners, and customers, data will be collected over the coming months to investigate the potential of electric trucks in delivery traffic. The long-term goal is the overall more sustainable alignment of the logistics sector in Germany.

"Our research area is more important than ever and the practical test is an important step towards the sustainability we want to achieve. As a leading company in the building materials trade, Stark Deutschland can play a significant role in preventing future emissions with their logistics expertise," believes Prof. Dr. Boris Zimmermann, head of the research project and Professor of Business Administration with a focus on Logistics at the University of Applied Sciences Fulda.

According to the Federal Government's climate protection plan, by 2030, one-third of the mileage in heavy road freight transport should be performed electrically or based on electricity-based fuels. To achieve this, the Federal Government is promoting a series of initiatives that make the new technology competitive and increase planning and investment security for companies.

“We are a transit and logistics country. It is important that Hesse remains future-proof in this field. That's why we have been promoting research and pilot projects for electromobility since 2015. Sustainability and future viability go hand in hand,” comments Dirk Säuberlich, Project Manager for Automotive, Electromobility, Aviation, Logistics, and System Technology at the Innovation Promotion Hesse.

Therefore, measures are supported that demonstrate the practicality and everyday usability of electromobility. Projects such as those by the University of Applied Sciences Fulda and Stark Deutschland GmbH have great potential, according to Säuberlich. The supplier partners supporting the project include Villeroy & Boch, Ardex, PCI, Wedi, Otto Chemie, Knauf, Bosch, OWA, Sakret, Richter Systeme, Quandt, and Rockwool.