Rares Retegan, Vlad Serban (Smart Diesel) and Bogdan Retegan

E-mobility is now not only reality in the fleet sector, but also for trucks. The transportation industry is turning to electric trucks fast, to improve the efficiency of freight deliveries. The evolution of batteries and the new generation of engines encourages the use of electric vehicles. The initial and final operations of intermodal transport runs are among the most expensive and polluting steps in the supply chain.

The transport company with the largest fleet of semi-trailers in Romania, Routier European Transport, will offer its customers door-to-door 100% electric international transport already this year. Having 3 logistics hubs in Romania and 3 outside the country, in Germany, Italy and Netherlands, a moving fleet of 1000 trucks per week, starting from June become the first company in Romania to offer 100% electric door-to-door transport (road - railway).

The company offers integrated logistics transport solutions in Europe and develops innovative technological solutions to optimize companies' logistics processes.

Operating costs of electric trucks together with intermodal transport are 15% lower than diesel ones and CO2 emissions are reduced by 88%.

Routier European Transport now took the step and optimized their road-rail transport process by integrating electric trucks at the initial point of departure – Romania and at the final operations in Germany.

"Taking into account the operating costs of the trucks (electric or diesel) and the costs of traveling by rail, the full journey on the road with a diesel truck would cost 4,624 euros, which is 15% more than transport with electric trucks or train (4,018 euro) would cost. Also, the differences in CO2 emissions are huge: 4.55 tons for street diesel, compared to only 0.56 tons for intermodal electric," says one of the company's managers, Rareș Retegan.

By driving efficient and sustainable mobility Routier and Smart Diesel , part of DKV Mobility, share the same vision. Connectetd by a long and trustful partnership for its fleet services, Smart Diesel is supporting Routier in reaching its ambitious goals.

The Romanian entrepreneurs behind the spectacular development, Rareș and Bogdan Retegan, demonstrate day by day that the transport industry in Romania can offer excellent and sustainable services, aligning with international development directions, which state that the use of electric trucks will become widespread and will largely replace conventional trucks within the next 15 years. For Newsroom, Rareș Retegan dove deeper into their vision:

Newsroom: What was the motivation to change to electric trucks?

Rareș Retegan: Routier’s vision is a more connected and greener world. We have invested in clean and efficient transport solutions for our customers, with the first own train that provides green transportation, from 2018. We continuously invest in digitalization and are always one step ahead of the industry.

With this mindset, we managed to be a pioneer in many activities we do, and so, purchasing electric trucks came as naturally as possible for us. Routier’s mission is to become a landmark in the European transport market, synonymous with excellence in providing solutions to any problem. The pace of change is fast today, and our customers and employees need to feel safe with us.

Newsroom: How was the transition?

Rareș Retegan: Routier’s strategy is to implement a fully electrified intermodal transport solution. Thus, in addition to the electrified rail transport segment, the two electric tractors purchased will ensure the collection of the goods (first mile) and the delivery of the goods (last mile) to the beneficiary's warehouse. Therefore, a sustainable transport solution using electric propulsion with low CO2 emissions. They will operate in Germany and in Romania, in relation to the railway terminals where the company operates.

The acquisition and the transition to electric trucks were natural steps in our growing business. Routier’s logistics network has strategic access to Europe, offering the guarantee of real-time visibility and coordination of multi-lingual teams for complex cross-border transport operations, through fully digitized planning systems.

During the past years we paid special attention to our CO2 emissions and engaged ourselves to reduce every year our carbon footprint.

Newsroom: How are the first experiences with the E-Trucks?

Rareș Retegan: We received the first truck in June and the second one in September, so the testing is still on going. Still, up to this moment our team is enthusiastic. The electric driveline is very efficient, making the all-electric transport (train plus electric trucks) a very powerful tool for reducing CO2 emissions. More specific, CO2 emissions are huge: from 4.55 tons for street diesel, compared to only 0.56 tons for intermodal electric. On the cost side, even if the investment is higher compared to diesel trucks, we expect to recover those costs over time through fuel savings and reduced maintenance expenses. Diesel is at 0,41€/km while electric in comparison is at 0,27€/km.

Our customers and the changing European legislation encouraged us to believe that we made a good bet with this new electric experience.

We believe that working together towards a more sustainable future, we can make a positive impact on the environment and create a better world for future generations. We also encourage other companies to join us in the transition to electric trucks and help us build a more sustainable future.

Newsroom: What was the motivation to change to electric trucks?

Rareș Retegan: Routier’s vision is a more connected and greener world. We have invested in clean and efficient transport solutions for our customers, with the first own train that provides green transportation, from 2018. We continuously invest in digitalization and are always one step ahead of the industry.

With this mindset, we managed to be a pioneer in many activities we do, and so, purchasing electric trucks came as naturally as possible for us. Routier’s mission is to become a landmark in the European transport market, synonymous with excellence in providing solutions to any problem. The pace of change is fast today, and our customers and employees need to feel safe with us.

Newsroom: How was the transition?

Rareș Retegan: Routier’s strategy is to implement a fully electrified intermodal transport solution. Thus, in addition to the electrified rail transport segment, the two electric tractors purchased will ensure the collection of the goods (first mile) and the delivery of the goods (last mile) to the beneficiary's warehouse. Therefore, a sustainable transport solution using electric propulsion with low CO2 emissions. They will operate in Germany and in Romania, in relation to the railway terminals where the company operates.

The acquisition and the transition to electric trucks were natural steps in our growing business. Routier’s logistics network has strategic access to Europe, offering the guarantee of real-time visibility and coordination of multi-lingual teams for complex cross-border transport operations, through fully digitized planning systems.

During the past years we paid special attention to our CO2 emissions and engaged ourselves to reduce every year our carbon footprint.