With the logistics sector shifting towards sustainability and green initiatives, DANX Carousel is at the forefront, strategically integrating electric vehicles (EVs) and cutting-edge transportation solutions. Operating across urban areas in the UK, Ireland, Finland, and Norway, the company is using e-bikes and e-vans to streamline time-sensitive deliveries, especially to hospitals. But their commitment to reducing emissions goes beyond the city streets. With innovative projects like the electric cargo train between Birmingham and Glasgow, and the adoption of biofuels for long-distance hauls in Scandinavia, DANX Carousel is setting new standards in sustainable logistics across Europe.
Urban mobility using E-vans and E-bikes
In urban environments, where delivery density is high and distance is limited, EVs have proven to be a practical and efficient solution. DANX Carousel is already deploying electric vans and e-bikes for last-mile delivery services in several key European markets, including the UK, Ireland, Finland, and Norway. According to Val Karren, Director of Sustainability at DANX Group, “EVs (both vans and e-bikes) are currently being used for last-mile delivery services in several urban locations in the UK, Ireland, Finland, and Norway, where delivery density is high and radius is limited from our hubs.”
These EVs play a crucial role in time-critical deliveries to hospitals, where the need for speed is paramount. “Time-critical deliveries to hospitals are particularly well served by e-bikes and e-vans as electric vehicles receive preferred access to short-term parking close to entrances in urban areas,” Val explains. This practical advantage makes EVs ideal for urban logistics, providing fast and efficient solutions in densely populated areas.
Innovative long-distance solutions
While last-mile delivery solutions are key in urban environments, DANX Carousel is also pushing the envelope in long-haul transportation. While EVs have proven effective for short-distance deliveries, longer hauls require more robust solutions. In response, the company has invested in electric cargo trains, notably one operating daily between Birmingham and Glasgow. This initiative not only reduces the need for traditional truck transport but also improves efficiency and lower emissions. “In the UK, an electric cargo train is utilised daily between our Birmingham and Glasgow hubs,” says Val. “This solution has allowed DANX Carousel to remove two lorries per night from our trucking network to Scotland, avoid empty loads on the return trips, and improve our transit time.”
Additionally, for longer distances with heavy trailers, particularly in Scandinavia and the UK, DANX Carousel has turned to biofuels. “Biofuels such as HVO and biomethane are being widely used as sustainable fuel substitutes in our ground networks in Sweden and Finland for long distances with heavy trailers,” Val adds. These alternative fuels help bridge the gap for long-haul deliveries while keeping emissions low, aligning with the company’s sustainability goals.
Varamis Rail collaboration
One key initiative is DANX Carousel’s collaboration with Varamis Rail in the UK, which supports an electric rail service from the Midlands to Scotland. By partnering with Varamis Rail, DANX Carousel is helping to streamline rail cargo services, remove trucks from their network, and reduce road transport. “DANX Carousel has partnered with Varamis Rail in the UK to support an electric rail service from the Midlands to Scotland as a launch customer and a cargo handling consultant to optimise off-loading and handling times, costs and timings, and how to modify existing equipment to improve both,” explains Val.
This collaboration allows the company to improve efficiency while contributing to its environmental goals. The initiative has had a noticeable impact, with two trucks being removed from the road each night. By minimising the number of trucks on the road and optimising load distribution, the company can maintain cost-effectiveness while improving sustainability across its operations.
Challenges of EV battery transport
As the industry accelerates its shift toward electric vehicles, Johannes Kharsa, Head of EV Battery Logistics at Carousel Logistics, shares insights on the unique challenges of transporting EV batteries, a key component in the EV logistics chain. “We can split the challenges into three main categories: Regulatory, Logistical, and Know-how,” Johannes explains.
Regulatory challenges are especially prominent when transporting hazardous EV batteries, requiring strict adherence to safety standards. “To tackle the regulatory challenges, both for dangerous goods and waste transportation, we’ve appointed specific dangerous goods safety advisors (DGSAs) and waste specialists in all countries to guarantee we adhere to all regulations and ensure our drivers have the correct equipment, certifications, and training,” Johannes notes.
The logistics of transporting EV batteries also pose challenges due to their increased weight, which can affect vehicle payload and complicate loading and unloading processes. “The increased weight of batteries reduces delivery vehicles’ drop density and poses challenges with the loading and unloading equipment at delivery sites,” says Johannes. To manage this, the company develops specific process flows for different types of batteries, such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric, depending on their size and weight.
The future of logistics? EVs as a Service (EaaS)
As logistics continues to innovate, one promising solution on the horizon is Electric Vehicles as a Service (EaaS), which DANX Carousel is exploring to drive further sustainability. This model allows companies to maximise the utilisation of EVs while minimising costs. This approach is made possible through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, which enable dynamic route planning, vehicle optimisation, and reduced downtime for charging. “EVs as a service (EaaS) from companies that specialise in the use, maintenance and optimisation of the newest equipment is of great interest to DANX Carousel group,” says Val. “This sharing of capacity at different times of day will help reduce costs and utilise EVs already on the road.”
The integration of AI-driven solutions to optimize vehicle use and route planning is critical in ensuring that EVs are used to their full potential. “Those transporters that can offer EaaS using AI machine learning for dynamic route planning and equipment optimisation, limiting downtime for charging and keeping time-critical deliveries on time will be critical to preserving DANX Carousel’s USP and conforming to EU legislation for CO2 reduction,” Val notes. This forward-thinking approach positions DANX Carousel to remain at the forefront of sustainability in logistics, aligning with strict EU regulations while maintaining operational excellence.
DANX Carousel’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond simply adopting new technologies—it’s about reshaping the future of logistics. Through its strategic use of electric vehicles, biofuels, innovative rail solutions, and AI-driven optimisation, the company is setting new benchmarks in sustainable logistics. As the logistics industry evolves, DANX Carousel is not just adapting to change—it is driving it, setting the pace for a greener, more efficient future that will shape the industry for years to come.
This story was first published in the September-October 2024 issue of Payload Asia.
