The Nagel Group is further advancing the expansion of its electric fleet. For the current year 2025, it has announced the integration of 20 new electric tractor units. As the company explained 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 demonstrating the practicality of battery-electric vehicles in temperature-controlled food transport.
The Nagel Group has been testing electric trucks in real-world operations since 2022. 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 deliberately replacing diesel-powered vehicles with electric models.
"With the new vehicles, we want to integrate more electric trucks as replacements for conventional diesel vehicles into our transport network," emphasizes Taucke.
The delivery of the vehicles will take place in stages throughout the year 2025. The first units were already put into operation in March. Further vehicles are to follow in the second quarter and at the end of the year.
The fleet comprises six Volvo FH Aero Electric and 14 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. While the Volvo FH Aero offers a range of about 300 kilometers, the eActros 600 can manage around 500 kilometers on a single battery charge. The vehicles are intended for use in regional and long-distance transport and will be deployed from the locations in Bochum, Borgholzhausen, Hamburg, Gotha, and Groß-Gerau. According to the manufacturer, a new design in the Volvo model has improved energy efficiency. The Nagel Group plans for a mileage of around 150,000 kilometers per year.
In addition to the ecological aspects, driver satisfaction plays a role in the purchase decision. As quoted by Stefan Mörchel, driver and fleet supervisor at the Bochum location, the new vehicles noticeably change the daily work routine:
“Driving an electric truck is a whole new experience – quiet, powerful, and more relaxed.”
The feedback from the drivers is consistently positive, and many have fundamentally changed their attitude towards electromobility after the first operations.
In parallel with vehicle procurement, the company is also investing in charging infrastructure. According to the company, 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 should be as climate-friendly as possible. For this purpose, the company uses, among other things, photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the halls. In Bochum, the Nagel Group operates the largest roof photovoltaic system in the Ruhr area, according to its own statements. A powerful battery storage is expected to be operational in 2025 and will make self-generated electricity available for both vehicles and cooling systems.
