The Nagel Group is further advancing the expansion of its e-fleet. For the current year 2025, it has announced the integration of 20 new e-semitrailer trucks. As the company explains in a recent press release, models from Volvo and Mercedes-Benz will be used. The goal is to further reduce emissions in its own transport network while simultaneously demonstrating the practicality of battery-electric vehicles in temperature-controlled food transport.
The Nagel Group has been testing electric trucks since 2022 in real-world operations. With the recent fleet expansion, the number of electrically powered trucks in the fleet is set to increase significantly. According to Carsten Taucke, CEO of the Nagel Group, the company is specifically replacing diesel-powered vehicles with electric models.
“With the new vehicles, we want to integrate more e-trucks as replacements for conventional diesel vehicles into our transport network,” emphasizes Taucke.
The delivery of the vehicles will take place in stages over the year 2025. The first units were already put into operation in March. More vehicles are scheduled to follow in the second quarter and by the end of the year. Six Volvo FH Aero Electric and 14 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 will be used. While the Volvo FH Aero has a range of about 300 kilometers, the eActros 600 can achieve around 500 kilometers on a single battery charge. The vehicles are intended for use in regional and long-distance transport and will start from the locations in Bochum, Borgholzhausen, Hamburg, Gotha, and Groß-Gerau. According to the manufacturer, the Volvo model features a new design that has improved energy efficiency. The Nagel Group calculates it for an annual mileage of around 150,000 kilometers.
In addition to ecological aspects, driver satisfaction plays a role in the purchase decision. As quoted by Stefan Mörchel, driver and fleet manager at the Bochum location, the new vehicles noticeably change the workday:
“Driving an electric truck is a completely new experience - quiet, powerful, and more relaxed.”
The feedback from the drivers is consistently positive, with many fundamentally changing their attitude towards electromobility after only the first deployments. Alongside vehicle procurement, the company is also investing in charging infrastructure. According to their own information, the Nagel Group has installed fast-charging stations with a total of twelve charging points at four locations. The charging capacity is up to 400 kW.
The energy supply is intended to be as climate-friendly as possible. To achieve this, the company uses, among other things, photovoltaic systems on the hall roofs. According to their own information, the Nagel Group operates the largest rooftop photovoltaic system in the Ruhr area in Bochum. A powerful battery storage system is expected to become operational by 2025 and will make self-generated electricity available for both vehicles and cooling systems.
