Thanks to the collaboration between the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), Spedition Gschwander and building materials manufacturer Sto, charging infrastructure for e-trucks has been built and eight battery-electric trucks procured. The switch saves around 30 tonnes of CO2 at the Sto site of Donaueschingen. The project is a model for sustainable logistics solutions for medium-sized companies in Germany.
On 22 January 2025, Hartmut Höppner, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, officially launched an innovative funding project for electrifying commercial transport and charging infrastructure. This lighthouse project was successfully implemented together with Spedition Gschwander and building coating manufacturer Sto.
Hartmut Höppner, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport: “Logistics is on the path towards climate neutrality. That is positive and important news for our country. The exemplary collaboration between the two companies in developing climate-friendly logistics shows how to exploit the potential of climate-neutral technological solutions for the region through forward-looking planning and clever implementation. Cooperation across the locations makes it possible to move many more goods in a climate-friendly way both in Baden-Württemberg and beyond the state’s borders in the future. Today’s commissioning is another important step towards climate-friendly commercial transport, a sustainable economy and a bright future for our country.”
The joint project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, advances climate protection through CO2 savings. Thanks to the funding, Spedition Gschwander was able to procure eight e-trucks and a 400-kW fast-charging station for the Sto location in Donaueschingen. In future, around 50 per cent of the roughly 600 annual raw material transports to the Sto production site will be undertaken by electric trucks. The project is incorporated into other projects with six charging stations at five additional locations in south-western Baden-Württemberg.
Cross-locational cooperation for climate-neutral bulk goods transport
“With this project, Spedition Gschwander is one of the first transport companies in Germany to implement the electrification and decarbonisation of bulk goods transport after several years of preparation. This has been made possible through close partnerships such as the one with the Sto company. For almost three decades, we have been working together professionally and overcoming challenges together. The electrification of the raw materials supply is another milestone demonstrating their innovative spirit and setting the course for a climate-protecting and future-proof business”, says Andreas Gschwander, Managing Director of the freight company.
The batteries of the e-truck are recharged during the up to 90-minute unloading time of the raw materials in Donaueschingen – an efficient approach made possible by the placing of a charging point directly on the company’s premises. The fast-charging station has two charging points and is available to other freight companies as well. “Climate protection and sustainability are a high priority to us. We align our products and services as well as our daily activities accordingly. Environmental considerations are also important in our dealings with customers and partners. We have an ideal partner in Spedition Gschander in driving electrification in transport forward. Supporting this flagship project was a no-brainer for us”, said Jost Bendel, Chief Technology Officer at Sto.
Political support
Using electrically-operated trucks saves around 30 tonnes of CO2 annually. In addition, Sto plans on expanding charging infrastructure at other German locations in order to support the transformation towards low-emission logistics. With this lighthouse project, the Federal Ministry, Gschwander and Sto are setting standards in sustainable logistics and are underlining their commitment to developing solutions for future challenges, together.
Political representatives from Baden-Württemberg also showed their support for the expansion of e-charging station infrastructure and took part in the official opening. Lord Mayor of Donaueschingen, Erik Pauly, praised the project in his speech and highlighted the successful public-private sector collaboration. District Administrator Sven Hinterseh (Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis) and member of the Bundestag Thorsten Frei (CDU) and Derya Türk-Nachbaur (SPD) welcomed the initiative by Gschander and Sto. Mark Hohensee (FDP) and Marin Juric (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) also emphasized their interest in and support for e-mobility funding with their presence.
The electrification and decarbonisation of Spedition Gschwander’s bulk goods transport is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport under the guideline for the promotion of light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-protecting drives and the associated refuelling and charging infrastructure (KsNI) with a total of 2.4 million euros. This includes funding for the construction of charging infrastructure that is provided under the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) via the European Recovery and Resilience Facility (ARF) in the NextGenerationEU programme. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH. Applications are approved by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM).
