Transporting more pallets with a single articulated truck, towed by an electric tractor. This is the solution initiated by Four Sustainable Logistics to reduce the environmental impact of road transport. The Italian company implementing this in collaboration with Volvo Trucks Italia and Multitrax, combining a Volvo FH Electric with a Burgers double-deck semi-trailer. The logistics company—founded by founded by founded Francesco Carrozzini —is using this combination experimentally for Decathlon and other multinational companies in the food, retail, and fashion sectors.
The Dutch semi-trailer features two decks, each offering a height of 1.82 meters, allowing it to carry 55 euro pallets instead of 33, a 60% increase in capacity. Practically, the transporter with two trips carries the same goods as three traditional trips. Notably, the total mass remains unchanged at 44 tons. This solution is suitable for relatively light and bulky goods.
To reduce CO2 emissions, the semi-trailer is equipped with an IM Efficiency solar panel, providing electrical energy to the hydraulic lift, enabling autonomous loading and unloading operations without relying on the tractor unit. V-Spoilers, located at the rear, enhance the aerodynamic coefficient of the semi-trailer. This configuration facilitates the use of this unit with electric tractor units.
For their solution, Four Sustainable Logistics chose the flagship Volvo FH Electric in a 4x2 two-axle configuration powered by a 490 kW continuous motor. The cabin is the Globetrotter version, with Black Edition interiors. The motor is powered by six batteries located on both sides of the chassis, offering a total nominal capacity of 540 kWh. Benefits of this combination include reduced pollutants and road traffic and increased comfort for drivers.
Francesco Carrozzini, Business Development Partner at Four, stated, "The feedback from the tests we conducted has been positive, and we hope to have the vehicle fully operational soon. The first mission is to electrify the Milan-Bologna route, followed by a stable connection between Milan and Rome. The performance of electric trucks in terms of range is influenced by various factors, such as load conditions, setup type, topography, routes, temperature conditions, speed, and driving style. Currently, they range between 280 and 400 kilometers without the need for intermediate charging."
Sabrina Loner, E-Mob Product Homologation Director at Volvo Trucks Italia, added, "Today, the vehicle manufacturer is the one driving the transition. It's no longer about selling a truck but offering a comprehensive and articulated transport solution that naturally includes the vehicle and a series of services, including charging solutions for electric vehicles. The manufacturer is a partner actively participating in defining and setting up a cutting-edge transport program that also meets increasingly necessary environmental sustainability requirements."
Alberto Maggi, sole administrator of Multitrax, highlighted the importance of semi-trailers in reducing the environmental impact of road transport: "Often, when discussing sustainability in heavy transport, only part of the problem, the tractor unit, is considered, forgetting the importance of everything behind it, namely the semi-trailer. The double-deck Burgers has already demonstrated its efficiency with traditionally powered tractors, generating over 40% savings in CO2 emissions. The combination with the electric tractor further elevates performance and sustainability standards. We are convinced that this solution, which can optimize the performance of traditional tractors, can also help increase the adoption of electric-powered vehicles. The result will be the ability to transport larger volumes, decongest traffic on our roads, and reduce the environmental impact of a sector responsible for over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport."
