Kellner & Kunz automates logistics in Wels with Infios
Jun 23, 2026 at 11:41 AM
In the research project „Transportation in Charge,“ the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Material Research IFAM, in collaboration with various partners from academia and industry, developed tools for the economic and technical evaluation of charging infrastructure for electric trucks (E-trucks) in commercial areas and freight transport centers. A central component of the project was the development of software tools by PSI Software SE, which enable the integration of transport logistics and charging management.
Field Test for Practical Suitability
As part of a field test, the practical suitability of around 210 available E-trucks and the corresponding charging infrastructure for various logistics tasks was examined. The aim of the test was to design the charging infrastructure in commercial areas so that local businesses can jointly utilize a cost-effective and demand-oriented charging option for E-trucks. The long-term energy demand resulting from the conversion of fleets in the commercial areas was also analyzed. This analysis aims to enable improved planning of grid capacities.
PSI Software SE, as the software partner, developed a comprehensive technical solution that links transport logistics and charging management. For this purpose, a cloud-based platform was created that allows the exchange of planning-relevant real-time data. This platform enables optimal coordination of charging and transport planning based on current information from vehicle telematics, traffic, weather, charging points, parking spaces, and available charging capacities. Additionally, a cloud demonstrator was developed based on the transport management system PSItms and a CCTV module for image data analysis.
Insights into Electromobility in Freight Transport
The results of the study provide important new insights into the potential of electromobility in freight transport. It was found that the operation of E-truck fleets is already successfully possible today, despite existing challenges, particularly regarding charging infrastructure and acquisition costs.
The three-year research project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) as well as the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), was successfully completed in June 2026. In addition to Fraunhofer IFAM, several institutes of RWTH Aachen University and the practical partners PSI Software SE, Behrens-Wöhlk GmbH & Co. KG, and Rhenus Home Delivery GmbH were involved in the project.
