PressSplit
From the outside, the electric vehicle looks like any diesel truck. However, the differences in handling are enormous, reports Torsten Kulle, managing director of the Werl-based company “Kulle Logistik”. © Heyn, Katharina
The Werl-based freight forwarding company Kulle uses two electric trucks. Despite the high acquisition costs and logistical challenges, the company is satisfied.
Werl – The driving experience up in the driver’s cab is quite amazing: no vibrations and no rattling from a diesel engine, instead the tires glide almost silently over the road. This is because the truck is electric. It has no fuel tank on board, but six batteries.
Werl-based company takes stock: What is the electric truck good for?
“It’s just so much quieter than diesel. For many drivers, that’s a huge relief,” says Managing Director Torsten Kulle as he turns the steering wheel of the electric truck and drives into the yard of the freight forwarding company. The Werl-based company “Kulle Logistik GmbH & Co. KG” purchased two electronically powered trucks in June 2023 – both of which are 80 percent subsidized by federal funding.
The additional costs incurred by the company were nevertheless immense, says Kulle, adding: “Without the funding, we would not have bought the two vehicles.” Commercially available electric trucks still cost over 300,000 euros to purchase, which is significantly more than a diesel truck, which is available from 100,000 euros.
Managing Director Kulle is enthusiastic about the vehicles
Nevertheless, the freight forwarder is visibly satisfied with the two electric trucks: “It works very well. The vehicles run smoothly and stably.” There has not been a major vehicle failure caused by the electric drive in the past 14 months.
The additional logistical effort, however, is more problematic. The two vehicles are mainly used for short distances in the region. The reason: the electric trucks can currently cover between 300 and 350 kilometers on one battery charge without any additional charging time having to be planned during the journey. Therefore, only trips within a 150-kilometer radius can be planned.
No toll for electric trucks – politicians demand more safety
Instead, the company uses the drivers’ eleven-hour shift break to recharge the battery at their own charging station, thus avoiding longer downtimes for the electric truck. “This means we are not dependent on external charging stations – which are not available everywhere – but can charge on site,” explains Kulle. The company installed the charging station required for this, with an output of 200 kilowatts per hour including storage, just a few months ago, while the energy required comes from the company’s own photovoltaic systems.
However, the freight forwarder criticizes the lack of planning security due to political decisions: although electric trucks are currently exempt from tolls, this regulation is due to expire on December 31, 2025. However, the toll exemption would result in significant cost savings – especially compared to the fee for diesel trucks, says Kulle.
Financial risk significantly higher than with diesel
“The financial risk is already significantly higher with electric trucks than with diesel trucks,” emphasises the managing director. Due to the high purchase costs and the logistics involved with electric trucks, savings such as those on tolls are particularly crucial. “I need reliable framework conditions so that I can plan with electric trucks,” says Kulle, as he is certainly convinced by the vehicles. If everything goes well, he wants to buy a third electric truck soon.
Things are not looking so rosy at the rest stops, however: the ADAC has tested rest stops across Germany, but Haarstrang South was not convinced. But the Werl residents are in good company.
