Rhenus tests Juna’s electric trucks in road freight transport

Rhenus is now testing the “Truck-as-a-Service” offering from the young joint venture Juna. A Scania electric truck is already in use in Düsseldorf, and by the end of 2027, up to twelve vehicles could be deployed at Rhenus locations in Germany.

Juna charges for the use of electric trucks based on mileage.

Image: Rhenus Logistics

The two companies have signed a letter of intent for this collaboration. Rhenus aims to test Juna’s “Truck-as-a-Service” model as part of this partnership. Under this arrangement, Juna provides the vehicles on a mileage basis, allowing Rhenus to use the electric trucks without having to purchase them itself.

The package includes not only vehicles but also maintenance, repairs, insurance, telematics, and support for charging infrastructure. The model is designed to reduce financial risks associated with entering the electric mobility sector, especially in transportation networks organized with a light asset structure.

Scania’s first battery-electric truck is already in use in Düsseldorf. Rhenus aims to use it to assess under real conditions which routes are suitable for operating electric trucks both operationally and economically.

Rhenus has been working on the electrification of road freight transport for some time now. Rhenus Home Delivery was a partner in the Transportation in Charge research project led by Fraunhofer IFAM. The project explored, among other things, how charging infrastructure for electric trucks can be established and shared in industrial zones and freight transport hubs. In addition to vehicle costs, the researchers identified available grid connection capacity, appropriate charging speeds, and the cost-effectiveness of charging infrastructure as key challenges.

Up to twelve electric trucks by the end of 2027

Meanwhile, Rhenus and Juna aim to analyze traffic flows within the German network and identify additional suitable routes for use. Both operational requirements and cost efficiency compared to similar diesel trucks are intended to be taken into account in this process.

On this basis, up to twelve electric trucks could be deployed at Rhenus locations in Germany by the end of 2027. However, this does not yet entail a binding order for a fleet, as the cooperation is initially based on a Letter of Intent.