Copenhagen/Bjerringbro, Denmark – Transporting containers globally, whether it’s moving goods from port to port, from factories to warehouses, or on that crucial final leg of delivery, is an everyday reality in logistics. But the environmental costs are high, with each truck contributing to harmful greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and exhaust fumes that affect both human and animal health. This issue is now front and center in the race to decarbonize logistics.
The transition to electric trucks (EV trucks) has become one of the most significant and challenging tasks the logistics industry faces. E-trucks, while environmentally friendly, come at a premium—often costing up to three times as much as their diesel counterparts. On top of that, their range is limited, and charging infrastructure remains sparse in most countries. For many companies, the additional costs involved in switching to greener solutions like EV trucks are a tough pill to swallow. However, as the climate crisis deepens, there’s a growing sense of urgency to find alternative solutions.
As Birna Odefors, Managing Director of Maersk Area Nordics, aptly puts it, “This is a gigantic task, but we must not be intimidated by it.” With numerous customers in the region pushing for decarbonized logistics solutions, Maersk has taken a proactive approach in tackling the challenge head-on.
One of those forward-thinking customers is Grundfos, the renowned Danish engineering company specializing in water technology and pump solutions. In collaboration with Maersk, Grundfos has begun trialing electric trucks for container transport between its factory and the Port of Aarhus. Since October 2024, the pilot project has been underway, with plans to scale up to transport between 600-800 containers annually.
For Grundfos, this step is part of a broader strategy toward sustainability. Since 2020, the company has already been using Maersk’s ECO Delivery Ocean service, which incorporates alternative fuels like waste-based biodiesel and bio-methanol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional marine fuels. With the introduction of EV trucks for land transport, Grundfos aims to eliminate tailpipe emissions altogether, as the trucks are charged solely with renewable electricity.
“Our goal has always been to take action and drive decarbonization in the supply chain,” says Dirk Van Der Heijden, Senior Director of Global Logistics at Grundfos. “After making strides with ocean freight, it made perfect sense to extend those efforts to road transport as well. We can’t wait any longer given the climate consequences we’re facing, and we’re excited to work with Maersk to implement this solution.”
Maersk, for its part, is committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions across all modes of transport. By 2030, the company aims to reduce emissions from its global network of logistics centers and transportation operations. Maersk has set an ambitious net-zero target for 2040, aligning with the global momentum toward more sustainable logistics practices.
While this partnership marks a major step forward in decarbonizing road transport, it also highlights the challenges and opportunities the logistics industry faces in shifting to electric vehicles. As the pilot project with Grundfos demonstrates, the transition to EV trucks isn’t just about cleaner emissions—it’s also about pushing the boundaries of innovation in logistics.
With a shared vision of sustainability and a growing recognition that immediate action is needed, partnerships like the one between Maersk and Grundfos are shaping the future of transportation, one electric truck at a time.
