Press Release 17 Nov 2020

Fast charging

The container terminal in Neuss is the first in the Contargo network to acquire a fast charging station for its e-trucks to “fill up”. From now on, both fully electric semitrailer machines at the location can re-charge speedily at a 150 kW charging post – even between trips. This is a further move in Contargo’s testing of various technologies in the area of e-mobility.

“Contargo plans to completely discontinue the use of fossil-based carbon energy sources by 2050“, says Volker Boveland, Managing Director Contargo Neuss GmbH. “It is not yet clear which course we will adopt to enable decarbonising to take place. At present we are focusing on e-mobility, so as of now we are testing a fast charging station for our two fully electric 44-ton trucks here in Neuss.”

Two electric trucks in operation

At the terminal in Neuss, Contargo is using two 550kW / 748PS EF18 SZM trucks by E-Force One for the local transport of containers. These identically built vehicles each have a battery with a capacity of 340 Kwh, giving them a range of at least 200 km and a maximum speed of 87 km/h. With the new, high-performance 150kW charging post the batteries are charged with direct current up to 800 volts. Using this charging technology, the complete charging process only takes about two and a half hours, meaning that the daily range can be further extended by short re-charging stops at the fast charger.

Comparing technologies

“Since May, our colleagues at the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal have been testing two e-trucks from another manufacturer which recharge overnight using small, mobile charging poles (25 kW)”, says Kristin Kahl, Sustainable Solutions. “This enables us to get to know various different technologies and compare them, so that we can identify the most appropriate solution for Contargo and at the same time contribute to the ongoing development of these technologies.”

Since Contargo switched in January 2020 to using green electricity at all its German terminals, the emissions of the e-trucks have been even further reduced. As well as electric trucks, Contargo is also trying out a hybrid truck with overhead lines (catenary system) in Hesse as a test partner. More about sustainability at Contargo: https://www.contargo.net/en/company/sustainability/.

With an annual transport volume of 2.1 million TEU, Contargo is one of the largest container logistics networks in Europe. Contargo integrates container transport between the western seaports, the German North Sea ports and the European hinterland. The enterprise has 24 container terminals at its disposal in Germany, France and Switzerland and maintains offices at seven additional locations in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Contargo also operates its own barge and rail lines. In 2019 the workforce of 1,205 employees achieved a turnover of 525 million Euro. www.contargo.net

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Heinrich Kerstgens, Contargo GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinkaistrasse 2, 68159 Mannheim, Tel.: +49 621 17825 276, hkerstgens@contargo.net