Electrification of heavy transport.

Like passenger cars, heavy vehicles are moving towards electrification, and development is happening faster than many expected a few years ago. For the truck mechanic, this means a profession in change, where knowledge of the diesel engine remains central for many years to come, but where battery and electric-powered systems become an increasingly large part of everyday life.

§Manufacturers are betting on electric

Several of the major truck manufacturers already have battery-electric models in operation. Volvo Trucks has entered into an agreement with logistics company DSV to supply 300 electric heavy trucks as part of DSV's plan to have over 2,000 electric trucks in its fleet by 2030. Mercedes-Benz supplies the eActros model which is used for both regional and international transport and Scania has supplied battery-electric tractors among others to Danish Autologik. Common to the manufacturers is that electric trucks today are a real option for parts of heavy transport — particularly regional and distribution transport — and no longer just a pilot project.

§Charging infrastructure in Denmark

An electric truck is only as useful as the charging infrastructure available for it. In Denmark the energy company Norlys has established several charging parks for heavy transport spread from Randers in the north to Køge in the east including Denmark's first public MCS charger (Megawatt Charging System) in Sdr. Borup near Randers which enables faster charging of the largest batteries. The Danish Road Directorate estimates that around 25 charging parks for electric trucks will be needed in Denmark by 2030 to meet the EU's directive on infrastructure for alternative fuels (AFIR).

§What does it mean for the trade?

Electric trucks place different demands on the mechanic than diesel-driven ones: high-voltage systems require special safety training and equipment, cooling systems for batteries and electric motors replace parts of the classic cooling system, and troubleshooting shifts even more towards electronics and software diagnostics. At the same time, mechanics such as brakes, suspension, steering and bodywork remain largely unchanged regardless of drivetrain. Most workshops will for years service a mixed fleet of diesel and electric-driven vehicles, which requires the mechanic to understand both.

• 01Volvo Mercedes and Scania now have battery-electric trucks in commercial operation.
• 02NORM
• 03The EU's AFIR regulation requires a minimum of public charging infrastructure along the core road network.
• 04State support pools support companies' transition to electric lorries.

Electrification of heavy transport is already underway, but it is a gradual transition rather than a sudden shift — just as diesel engines a hundred years ago gradually replaced steam and gasoline in heavy transport.