L.I.T. LAUNCHES FULLY ELECTRIC TRANSPORT

PREMIERE IN JUST-IN-SEQUENCE OPERATION FOR SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS

The L.I.T. Group is deploying a fully electric lowliner tractor unit in daily shuttle operations between Brake and Bremen, thus advancing the electrification of heavy-duty transport (from left: Claas Bunjes, Head of Mobility & Digital Solutions, and Ralf Biere, Automotive Project Management).

Bremen / Brake (Unterweser), 16.04.2025

The L.I.T. Group is further advancing the electrification of heavy-duty transport: With the fully electric lowliner tractor unit, an E-truck is now being used for the first time in daily shuttle service on the route between Brake and Bremen in series operation. Since February 2025, the vehicle has been in daily use for parts supply to an automotive plant.

»After a successful test run in summer 2024, we now operate the E-truck daily on the Brake–Bremen route,« says Ingo Schreiber, Board Member of the L.I.T. Group.

The project for a more sustainable transport route was initiated within the corporate group two years ago. Originally, L.I.T. had planned to deploy a hydrogen-powered truck. With the market launch of the lowliner in summer 2023, new opportunities for fully electric transport arose. Following the completion of the test phase, the next step has now been taken: the start of series operation.

»The first operations of this truck confirm our calculations from the test phase. Despite increased consumption in winter, we can reliably perform the planned number of daily trips. This makes an important contribution to more sustainable transport logistics,« says Schreiber. A second vehicle of the same type will enter daily service in summer 2025.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATIONAL CONCEPT

The E-truck is equipped with a 300 kW battery and guarantees a range of 220 kilometers. Energy consumption ranges between 90 and 110 kWh per 100 kilometers, with a charging capacity of 160 kW.

In daily operation, the lowliner transports vehicle components in a Just-in-Sequence process. The route covers 130 kilometers per round trip, operating in two shifts with four trips per day and a load of around ten tons per trip.

CHALLENGES AND CHARGING SOLUTION

The introduction of this BEV type (»Battery Electric Vehicle«) raises a central question of e-mobility in heavy-duty transport: How can operations be managed with limited range and fixed delivery times? After each 130-kilometer round trip, the vehicle must be charged – a logistical challenge requiring precise time planning. Delays in charging affect the transport process and require close coordination between drivers and dispatch.

Claas Bunjes, Head of Mobility & Digital Solutions and L.I.T. project manager, says: »With the electric version of the lowliner, we are gaining valuable insights into the use of E-trucks in daily freight transport. These experiences help not only to further optimize our processes but also in developing future transport routes.«

CONCLUSION: ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS

The successful integration of a battery-electric lowliner tractor unit into daily shuttle service between Brake and Bremen shows that electric trucks can also be reliably used in tightly scheduled logistics chains. »This is an important measure to reduce CO₂ emissions in the logistics sector,« says Bunjes.