A new Franco-German electric drive
A joint initiative for the coordinated ramp-up of electro-mobility for goods traffic. The Franco-German Council of Economic Experts (FGCEE), established as an independent advisory body under the Aachen Treaty (2019), and France’s Conseil d’analyse économique (CAE), have issued a joint statement calling for battery-electric trucks (BE lorries) to be given priority as a key driver for the decarbonisation of European roadfreight transport.
Decarbonising freight transport is seen as crucial to achieving the European Union’s climate targets. Around one third of transport-related emissions in the EU come from freight traffic, which to date is almost entirely diesel-powered.
Forecasts have suggested that emissions in this sector could indeed continue to rise steadily if no effective countermeasures are implemented.
Technology focus
Against this backdrop, the CAE and the FGCEE have advocated a coordinated Franco-German strategy. Greater alignment could enable infrastructure projects to be implemented more efficiently across borders and common standards to be established more quickly.
“If the two largest national economies in Europe agree on a shared approach to the electrification of freight transport, then that sends a strong signal to the entire EU,” said Monika Schnitzer, chair of the German Council of Economics Experts and co-chair of the FGCEE.
In their recommendation, the experts highlight battery-electric trucks (BE lorries) as the most market-ready and economically viable option, in comparison with alternatives such as hydrogen or overhead line trucks. They are seen as the most efficient solution for the short and medium term, since the technology is already available, battery performance is improving rapidly and costs are falling.
Although other technologies such as fuel cell or overhead line systems may well also continue to be developed and tested too, the experts advise against investing in parallel infrastructure now, due to unresolved technical and economic issues.
Targeted support
Public funding should instead focus on rolling out a network for the fast charging of BE lorries – both in long-distance transport corridors as well as in logistics centres and in depots.
According to the statement, state subsidies should be targeted at overcoming barriers to market entry and at supporting a ramp-up phase – for example through investment in the charging infrastructure or research initiatives into battery technology. However, this support should be clearly time-limited and restricted to the market development phase.
Adjustments are also needed at EU level. The current Afir regulation provides for the simultaneous rollout of charging and hydrogen infrastructure by 2030.
Given the technological uncertainties surrounding hydrogen trucks, the experts recommend allowing greater flexibility in implementing and regularly evaluating the relevance of each technology.
Rail remains complementary
Shifting freight to the railways is generally viewed as a desirable goal – but only partially feasible, due to Europe’s fragmented rail network and the typical transport distances involved (often under 200 km).
Rail can play to its strengths particularly in long-haul heavy transport tasks involving diverse goods. Improved coordination at European level–for instance through standardised ERTMS corridors – could still boost railfreight’s overall ability to compete with the other modes.
This joint recommendation from the French and German expert bodies is intended as a catalyst for a coordinated transition in European freight transport.
It calls for a strategic approach that focuses on available technologies, economic feasibility and infrastructure compatibility – particularly in view of the importance of cross-border logistics links between Germany and France.