Lidl Switzerland opens E-charging station in Weinfelden
May 19, 2026 at 2:44 PM
The EMPL Fahrzeugwerk GmbH recently delivered six fully electric trucks to SPAR Österreich. These vehicles, based on the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 model, will be used in distribution traffic across several federal states, including Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, and Styria. The supermarket chain aims to make logistics more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient with this initiative.
The new electric trucks are equipped with modern tandem trailers that feature a photovoltaic system on the roof. This system supplies the trailer’s consumer battery and allows the operation of electrical systems independently of the towing vehicle. SPAR places great importance on ensuring that the electric trucks can handle the same routes as conventional diesel trucks.
Challenges in production
The production of fully electric trucks presents specific challenges. At EMPL, all employees working on the high-voltage systems of the vehicles must complete specialized high-voltage training. Additionally, it is necessary to spatially separate and shield the electric vehicles during certain production steps to ensure safety standards when handling high-voltage technology.
Patrick Klingler, Sales Manager for Commercial Vehicles at EMPL, emphasizes: “With this delivery, we are making an important contribution to the decarbonization of freight transport together with SPAR. The combination of battery-electric drive and additional energy generation through photovoltaics represents a particularly sustainable solution.”
The project is part of a comprehensive fleet transition. Throughout the year, four more electric trucks from the MAN brand will be delivered, and ten additional electric trucks are already planned for 2027. This investment underscores SPAR’s commitment to sustainable transport solutions in Austrian retail and demonstrates how technological innovation can be combined with practical logistics solutions.
Sustainability in focus
The initiative highlights that alternative drive technologies are increasingly becoming economically viable and practical even in demanding distribution traffic. By strategically utilizing renewable energy directly on the vehicle and employing alternative drives, SPAR is setting new standards for the logistics industry.
