EU project ZEFES: Gruber Logistics conducts tests for CO2-free long-distance transport

What will be possible in long-distance heavy transport in the future is being explored by the EU-funded project "ZEFES," which stands for "Zero Emissions flexible vehicle platforms with modular powertrains serving the long-haul Freight Eco System". In the first step, Gruber Logistics, which is involved in the project, now aims to collect data to answer the following questions: How many stops does a vehicle in long-distance transport make under real-time conditions, how often does it brake, or when and where does it reach which speed?

EU Project with 40 Million Euros
With a total budget of almost 40 million euros, 40 partners from 14 different nations are working on it and conducting various tests with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Martin Gruber, Managing Director of Gruber Logistics:

"Gruber Logistics pursues a sustainable, forward-looking strategy. We are convinced that the entire transport sector will and must move in this direction, and we want to drive this development forward. The ZEFES project represents a new paradigm where transport companies are not just end users, but are also required to be co-designers of new electric and hydrogen vehicles. To optimize such vehicles, we need new logistics models; therefore, the vehicles must be designed according to the new usage. We need a different type of logistics."

Test Track Verona-Southern Germany
The logistics company has been collecting data for electric vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells on a defined route from Verona over the Brenner Pass to Southern Germany since the end of February. Initially, no FCEVs will be deployed, but tests with diesel vehicles will be conducted to establish a basis for future tests with real FCEVs, according to the logistics company.

The tests are taking place in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute, which has developed a module plus interface for this purpose, as well as with the companies Ricardo, TNO, and Scania. This makes it possible to collect and evaluate data with high precision and frequency using the device installed in the truck, according to the company. In this case, that means: in fractions of a second.