Press release – March 9, 2023 – Paris, France
Three major groups are joining forces to fight climate change and launch the European Clean Transport Network Alliance (ECTN Alliance), a concrete solution to decarbonize road freight transport.
Mobilizing the expertise of its founding members—CEVA Logistics, ENGIE and SANEF—the ECTN Alliance envisions building and operating a network of truck terminals with low-carbon energy solutions to transport merchandise along Europe’s motorways. The disruptive system will be tailored to electric trucks’ limited range and charging requirements.
Long term, the terminal network will be open to all shippers and carriers, offering simple access to low-carbon biogas, hydrogen and electric energy solutions for charging and refueling trucks. Strategically placed on European motorways, the network will include a specific IT solution to enable transport companies to plan their routes and charging schedules in the fastest and most carbon-efficient way.
In addition, the concept aims at improving working conditions for long-haul truck drivers by allowing them to remain closer to their homes, as they will be swapping trailers at each terminal before turning back. ECTN’s solution will ultimately make the trucking industry more attractive and help alleviate the European truck driver crisis.
The Alliance will conduct a proof of concept (POC) in 2023 between the Lille and Avignon metropolitan areas in France to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept before deploying it on a European scale.
The two-year proof of concept will start in 2023 to demonstrate the ECTN model’s effects on long-distance road haulage. A dedicated fleet of 20 low-carbon tractor units (a mix of biogas, electric and green hydrogen) will transport 20 trailers each day between the north and southeast of France, relaying and changing trailers at five test sites located at existing CEVA Logistics locations.
Local carriers will carry out the pre- and post-carriage transport to and from the test sites. The POC is expected to provide a rich database for an in-depth understanding of low-carbon truck use for long-distance haulage and options for decarbonizing road freight transport in Europe.
Luc Nadal, Regional Managing Director for Europe, CEVA Logistics, said: “ECTN Alliance members strongly believe that private–public alliances have a key role to play in accelerating climate solutions. The ECTN Alliance is based on a pioneering, holistic approach to decarbonizing long-haul trucking. We are proud to launch this bold initiative with best-in-class companies, whose combined expertise will contribute to the success of the project.”
About CEVA Logistics
CEVA Logistics, a world leader in third-party logistics, provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products and providers all around the world. Headquartered in Marseille, France, CEVA Logistics offers a broad range of end-to-end, customized solutions in both Contract Logistics and Freight Management in 170 countries worldwide thanks to its approximately 110,000 employees at more than 1,300 facilities. With pro forma 2021 revenue of US$17 billion, CEVA Logistics is part of the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions.
About ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 96,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. Turnover in 2022: 93.9 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris - Europe 120 / France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).
About Sanef group
Sanef is a motorway management company operating 1,807 kilometers of network in France, mainly in Normandy, the Hauts-de-France and Grand-Est regions. With 2,400 employees and 1.707 billion euros revenue, Sanef is the French subsidiary of the industrial group Abertis, the world leader in motorway management.
Press contacts
CEVA Logistics contact:
ENGIE HQ Press contact:
Phone France: +33 (0)1 44 22 24 35
Email: engiepress@engie.com
SANEF GROUPE
Phone France: +33 (0)6 58 13 54 17
Email: olga.ackerman@sanef.com