This week marks the relaunch of the Climate Group’s influential EV100 network—a global coalition committed to accelerating the shift to zero-emission transport fleets. As part of this revitalisation, a new series of case studies, #EVJourneys, has been launched, spotlighting pioneering companies at the forefront of fleet electrification. Transport + Energy, a media partner of EV100, introduces the first in this series, focusing on logistics giant Maersk’s pioneering efforts in electric heavy-duty transport.
Maersk’s journey into electric trucking began in 2021 and 2022 with early adoption in Southern California, where it added Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 trucks to its fleet under its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. By investing in 110 additional Volvo electric trucks for North America in 2022, and an order of 25 Volvo FH electric trucks in Germany in 2023, Maersk demonstrated not only ambition but a serious operational commitment to decarbonising its land-side transport operations worldwide. These steps were complemented by significant infrastructure investments, including the launch in May 2024 of Southern California’s largest heavy-duty EV charging depot, capable of supporting 96 trucks simultaneously and powered by the nation’s largest EV truck microgrid. Such infrastructure is critical for enabling the large-scale deployment of electric heavy-duty vehicles and supporting the transition to cleaner logistics.
Maersk has experienced tangible benefits from its EV pilots, ranging from increased driver satisfaction and reduced fatigue to notable decreases in noise and air pollution around warehouses, distribution centres, and ports. These operational improvements highlight the holistic advantages that electric vehicles (EVs) bring beyond just emissions reductions.
The company’s experience reveals that total cost of ownership (TCO) parity with diesel trucks is increasingly achievable today in certain regions, particularly where supportive policies and infrastructure exist. Maersk underscores the importance of careful operational planning—shifting transport patterns to maximise EV use and ensuring charging infrastructure readiness ahead of fleet orders. It advocates for clear electrification targets backed by industry and regulatory support, citing the positive impact of California’s fossil fuel phase-out deadlines and the European Union’s greenhouse gas reduction mandates.
Strategically, Maersk is developing country-specific electrification roadmaps, tailored to the local ecosystem and regulatory frameworks. This detailed, geography-focused approach exemplifies how large multinational logistics companies can manage the complex transition and prepare their partners and customers for the new zero-emission era.
Maersk’s leadership in heavy-duty fleet electrification also ties into the Climate Group’s expanded EV100 network. In 2022, the Climate Group launched EV100+, a sister initiative focused specifically on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which are responsible for a disproportionate share of global transport emissions. Now fully integrated into EV100, the programme offers participating companies the flexibility to commit to electrifying cars, vans, trucks, or all three, depending on their operational needs. This inclusivity broadens the coalition’s impact across diverse sectors of transport.
The growing momentum within the EV100 membership is evident: as of early 2025, nearly 70% of members are on track to run 100% electric fleets by 2030. Collectively, they added over 127,000 EVs in the preceding year, reaching more than 700,000 electric vehicles across 76 markets. Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, major corporations are demonstrating robust commitments to a cleaner, healthier transport future.
Kenny Kristensen, Maersk’s Head of Energy Transition for Landside Transportation, emphasises the company’s steadfast dedication to net-zero emissions by 2040. Speaking about the role EV100+ plays, he says it remains a vital platform for collaboration among ambitious companies, policymakers, and customers alike.
As the global logistics sector charts a course toward sustainability, Maersk’s pioneering efforts and strategic alignment with EV100 highlight the challenges and opportunities inherent in transitioning to electric heavy-duty transport. The company’s experience offers a valuable blueprint: early adoption coupled with meticulous planning, supportive policy frameworks, and robust partnerships can unlock the potential for zero-emission freight transport that benefits operators, communities, and the climate.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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