More Payload per Charge

Logistik Schmitt, based in Bietigheim in Baden, is undoubtedly a pioneer in electric mobility within the transport sector. The company has been electrifying its fleet since 2019 – today, 55 of its approximately 100 tractor units are electric, including one of the very first eActros 600s ever produced. “We initially thought sustainability was our main motivation. But for the past two or three years, we’ve realised that it also offers a significant economic advantage,” says Rainer Schmitt, managing partner of the third-generation family business.

However, the switch presented an obstacle that only became apparent once the vehicles were in operation. Whilst the EU permits zero-emission vehicles to have a higher gross vehicle weight of up to 42 tonnes, the axle load limits remain unchanged. In projects involving heavy goods, such as gearbox components for the automotive industry, the high weight of the high-voltage batteries – with a normal load distribution on a standard trailer – would have resulted in the permissible axle load on the drive axle of the electric tractor unit being exceeded. The result: reduced payload at the expense of cost-effectiveness.

Consequently, the fleet experts at Logistik Schmitt set about looking for a trailer manufacturer who was prepared to alter the wheelbase. “We approached the trailer manufacturers, and Schmitz Cargobull was the only one to agree to move the axles that far forward,” recalls Christian Bommert, driver coordinator at Logistik Schmitt. The result is the BERGERecotrail Performance LTOe: its axles are positioned around 60cm further forward than on a standard trailer, thereby specifically relieving load from the tractor unit’s drive axle when fully loaded. This is combined with an extremely lightweight chassis and the Schmitz Cargobull curtainsider body, including the POWER CURTAIN load-securing tarpaulin – resulting in a total unladen weight of just 4.8 tonnes.

40 of these trailers are now in service at Logistik Schmitt. What began as a bespoke solution for Logistik Schmitt is now offered as standard by Schmitz Cargobull. The loss of payload caused by the heavy electric tractor unit has not yet been fully offset – according to Schmitt, around 400kg are still lost – but the crucial difference has been made: “Essentially, the key thing is that we can operate at full capacity again. With the new, lightweight semi-trailer from Berger and Schmitz Cargobull, we can once again fulfil our customers’ orders at full capacity,” says Rainer Schmitt.

The lighter trailer also has an impact on energy consumption – and thus directly on the cost-effectiveness of the electric fleet. Logistik Schmitt currently estimates consumption at around one kilowatt-hour per kilometre and hopes to get closer to 0.9 kilowatt-hours thanks to the weight saving. “Electricity is becoming our new gold,” as Rainer Schmitt puts it.

The drivers also had to get used to the changes at first: due to the altered wheelbase, Logistik Schmitt is providing them with specific training on how the vehicles handle differently when turning, at roundabouts and when reversing. Overall, however, according to the company, the drivers are very satisfied with the new semi-trailers.

The resolution of the axle load issue is now even opening up new opportunities for Logistik Schmitt: Just recently, the company carried out its first electric transport operations for a new client in Austria – a contract that would not have been possible without an electric fleet. Plans are already underway for new contracts with clients in Switzerland. For other haulage firms now looking to get into e-mobility, electric transport pioneer Rainer Schmitt has some earnest advice: “Start today, not tomorrow.”