Press Release 3rd February 2025

REWE Group Austria focusses on green logistics: e-trucks now in use

REWE Group Austria is once again demonstrating its commitment to sustainable mobility: three new e-trucks - each branded in the BILLA, BIPA and PENNY colours - have been integrated into the fleet and are now being used in the inner-city area of Vienna. They will be supplying the districts of 1010 and 1020 Vienna as well as Pilotengasse, the location of Austria's greenest BILLA store. With a range of over 300 kilometres and a battery capacity of up to 375 kWh, the vehicles are specially designed for urban areas, where many start-stop operations are necessary.

Three colorful trucks parked in front of a REWE distribution center, under a cloudy sky. The trucks display various German texts promoting green energy and electric transport.

REWE Group Austria focusses on green logistics: e-trucks now in use / Copyright: © Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

REWE Group Austria adds three e-trucks to its fleet - first deployments in urban areas already completed
Up to 84 tonnes of CO2 saved annually through the use of the new vehicles
Electric lorries offer a range of over 300 km and efficient 2-shift operation
Investment in sustainable logistics as part of the climate strategy

Compared to conventional, diesel-powered trucks, each e-truck saves around 28 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year - resulting in a total saving of 84 tonnes of CO2 per year. ‘With the introduction of e-trucks, we are taking an important step towards reducing emissions in the transport sector. At the same time, we are creating efficient and ecological solutions for inner-city use,’ explains Marcel Haraszti, CEO of REWE International AG.

Project Zero Emission Transport

As part of the Zero Emission Transport project, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce supports the use of electric lorries: ‘With its initiative to switch to green logistics, REWE Group is setting an important example for sustainability and environmental protection. We are delighted that another economic heavyweight is part of our Zero Emission Transport project, in which companies voluntarily commit to making their journeys in Vienna's first and second districts emission-free. This shows that it is possible to make inner-city goods transport sustainable,’ says Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

A look at REWE Group Austria's logistics fleet

REWE Group Austria operates a total of 369 lorries and 207 trailers in its fleet. In particular, the tight infrastructure of urban areas plays into the hands of the advantages of electric vehicles: efficient charging and deployment management enables continuous operation in two shifts of 8 to 10 hours each.

‘The use of the new electric lorries is an important step towards making the entire fleet more sustainable. REWE Group employs a total of 700 lorry drivers, who ensure the smooth supply of the shops throughout the country. Technological development in the field of e-trucks is currently progressing rapidly,’ says Christian Hörner, Managing Director Warehousing & Transport at REWE International AG.

Even today, the new vehicles are hardly comparable with those of the first generation: Improvements in battery performance, software and charging management have significantly increased their practicality. The charging time for a complete charging cycle is around 2.5 hours, with a maximum charging capacity of 150 kW.

Challenges and opportunities for drivers

In addition to technical training on the charging infrastructure and raising drivers' awareness of the conscious use of consumption and battery capacity, the use of e-trucks requires a defensive driving style in order to optimise range and battery performance. ‘The switch to renewable energies is a challenge that we are mastering step by step. With initiatives such as the use of e-trucks, we are tackling technological innovations and ensuring that our employees are part of this important development,’ summarises Hörner.