GERMANY. “DRivE”: PEM Tests Route Planning for Electric Tucks in Real Operation

Graphic with road traffic, data network, and DRivE project logoCopyright: © Collage: freepik | PEM of RWTH Aachen University

Together with numerous partners, the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University has started the pilot phase of the DRivE research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. Software for ensuring safe route planning on board a battery-powered electric truck from Aachen-based logistics company Hammer will now be tested on the road for two months. The solution programmed specifically for the project will take into account remaining ranges and available charging points.

“Making trucks with sustainable drive systems more attractive”

“Our aim is to make the use of trucks with sustainable drive concepts more attractive by enabling them to cover their routes safely and well planned in advance with the help of digitalization,” says PEM Director Professor Achim Kampker. The pilot phase is intended to demonstrate that such a solution works reliably in principle and also to identify any gaps in the programming that still need to be closed. “DRivE” stands for “Data-Based Route Planning in Road Freight Transport with Different Energy Supply Technologies” and will continue until the end of 2024 to investigate how companies in the logistics sector can be helped digitally to switch to eco-friendly heavy-duty commercial vehicles in long-distance transport.

“Alternative drives in the transport business have so far been hampered by the lack of transparency of available charging and refueling infrastructure – and the associated concern about detours or waiting times.”

“If the climate targets are to be achieved, long-distance journeys must also be completed with alternative drive systems,” says PEMʼs project manager Maximilian Bayerlein. “In the transport business, this has so far been hampered by the lack of transparency of available charging and refueling infrastructure – and the associated concern about detours or waiting times.” A new routing algorithm is therefore intended to increase the planning reliability of transport companies and thus encourage them to invest in eco-friendly drive technologies.