First 100% electric trucks for GWW heavy transportation

De Bruyn Transport from Oudewater takes first 100% electric trucks for GWW heavy transport into service. Ordinary tractors on the face of it, but in reality a gigantic step forward in making the transport industry more sustainable. We speak to entrepreneurs Joeri and Tirza de Bruyn about the innovative developments.

Completely emission-free, silent, with a range of 300 km and a payload of at least 30 tons. Those are the three FM Electric Volvo trucks that will be on the road for de Bruyn Transport starting at the end of this year. The crème de la crème among the new style 'golden coaches' for heavy transport. But that's not the only thing the young-minded transport company is doing. To continue taking steps towards a green and healthy future, Team Sustainability is building agile on issues in the areas of behavioral change, CO₂-reduction and innovation. 

CO₂-footprint

"Even well before the European decisions on electric transport were made, we were innovating in this area. As a transport company, we are aware of our CO₂-footprint and we like to keep it as small as possible. When Volvo announced the construction of heavy-duty electric vehicles, we went 'full throttle' on it. We immediately purchased three of them," Joeri relates.

With a fleet of over 80 cars, the transition from fossil to zero-emission is quite a task. The biggest challenge lies in the infrastructure needed to keep "the green fleet" operational. "Given our operating area in South Holland in particular, we started looking for partners in that region," said Joeri. Still by the end of this year, the first electric charging station for heavy transport will be built in Schiedam. With the fast charger here, you can charge up to 80% within three quarters of an hour. "Creating charging stations is a priority right now. For good coverage, ideally two or three more charging stations will be added. We are in talks with the right partners. Because a project of this magnitude, you don't do it alone, you do it together."

Smart Driver Coaching

"Speaking of cooperation," Tirza explains, "the energy transition we are in together requires not only physical investment but also a change in mindset. Awareness and (driving) behavior are important themes in this. Driving with 'the flame in the pipe' has long been a thing of the past, but will soon make way for high acceleration and extremely high efficiency, with hardly any loss of energy in heat. We can invest power in innovation and sustainability, but using it consciously and efficiently is the key to success. Rolling out on the engine, releasing the throttle earlier, generating back and anticipating traffic more. These are themes that we work on together daily with internal programs such as Smart Driver Coaching. But lifestyle behavior is also becoming more important every day. How do you feed yourself? And how do we feed each other? Not only in food but also think about beliefs, thoughts and judgments. We choose to empower each other from a positive mindset. Attention to these themes, that's where the biggest profit lies! Together we make a real difference. The difference in sustainable, healthy and safe transport! That's why at de Bruyn we don't say for nothing; beyond A to B."