Cenex Nederland introduces a brand new solution to accelerate the transition to electric trucks
Cenex Nederland officially launched the KITE tool last week, a free and publicly accessible online tool designed to accelerate the electrification of European freight transport. The tool was first presented during the annual Cenex Nederland Spring Drinks event, where visitors responded enthusiastically to live demonstrations.
The Challenge: Freight Transport and Climate Goals
While heavy-duty vehicles make up only about 2% of Europe’s total vehicle fleet, this sector is responsible for around 25% of all transport-related emissions on European roads. Of this heavy transport, 90% consists of trucks, making the sector a crucial target group for emissions reduction.
With EU regulations mandating an ambitious 90% emissions reduction by 2040, fleet operators face complex decisions about when and how to switch to electric alternatives. Currently, electric trucks make up just 0.1% of Europe’s fleet, highlighting the enormity of the challenge.
KITE: The Solution for Complex Decisions
The KITE tool (Key Infrastructure for Truck Electrification) was developed in collaboration with Cenex UK under the Horizon-funded NextETRUCK project. The tool provides fleet operators with insights in their fleet for potential financial decisions they’ll need to make about electrification.
Five Core Functionalities
1. Route Prioritization Based on TCO KITE identifies truck routes where the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of electric trucks is competitive compared to diesel alternatives. This enables fleet operators to strategically plan the order of electrification.
2. Comparative TCO Calculations The tool performs detailed TCO calculations with different truck models, allowing users to determine which electric truck is most cost-effective for specific routes.
3. Charging Infrastructure Evaluation KITE evaluates how well existing charging infrastructure is aligned with the needs of a specific electric truck fleet, which is essential for operational planning.
4. Business Case Development The tool supports financial planning by making estimates for financing needs and helps in developing a solid business case, including potential infrastructure investment costs.
5. Impact Monitoring Users can calculate potential emission reductions and air pollution reduction enabled by switching to an electrified fleet.
European Coverage and Language Support
KITE currently contains data for the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Turkey, Belgium, and Spain, with more countries in development. The tool supports Dutch and English interfaces, with plans to add German, Spanish, and French language versions soon.
Practical Applications
The tool focuses on removing uncertainty around EV truck adoption. By simplifying complex calculations and providing concrete insights, transport companies of all sizes can make informed decisions about their electrification strategy.
For smaller fleet operators who may not have extensive analytical capabilities, KITE democratizes access to advanced TCO modelling. Larger organizations can use the tool to validate and refine their existing analyses.
Free Access and Use
One of the most remarkable aspects of KITE is that it is completely free to use. This open-access approach supports the mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport without creating financial barriers.
Interested users can try the tool directly at: https://next-etruck.cenex-tools.io/
Future Perspective
The NextETRUCK project, which includes KITE, plays a crucial role in supporting Europe’s transition to climate-neutral mobility. By making practical tools like KITE available, the gap between policy objectives and practical implementation is effectively bridged.
More Information
For demonstrations and further information about KITE, interested parties can visit the EVS 38 conference, where Rishabh Ghotge and Jorden van der Hoogt from Cenex NL will present the tool during a dialogue session.
For a more thorough analysis of your fleet, Cenex offers a variety of services to help you further in electrifying your fleet charging need requirements. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information at hello@cenexgroup.nl.
