Den Hartogh deploys first 100% electric 50-tonne truck

Rotterdam, 10 May 2021 - Today the first 50-tonne electric truck has been put into use in The Netherlands. Den Hartogh utilises this unique truck in Rotterdam’s chemical cluster for the transport of polyols and MDI for Huntsman. We are proud to be part of this joint initiative, which is partly realized through support from the DKTI 2 demonstration programme of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. This is the very first electric truck of this size to drive in the Netherlands and it is an important step in reducing CO₂ emission. The implementation of this truck for the chemical cluster is a result of the cooperation of Huntsman, BREYTNER, H.N. Post & Zonen, Den Hartogh Logistics, Agility and Port of Rotterdam.

Joep Aerts, Business Unit Director of Den Hartogh Liquid Logistics: “We are excited that we actually have an electric truck driving with chemicals as of this week. We see the sustainability journey as a Den Hartogh journey, but also as an industry journey, so we are very happy that we can start this project with the consortium. We have a long relation with Huntsman in cooperation on innovation and this is a very good next step.”

Huntsman’s Rotterdam & Wilton Supply Chain Manager, Leen Wendels, says: “As a company, we are always looking for sustainable improvements in our freight transport, such as transport by train and inland shipping, together with our extensive network of logistics service providers. This joint trial with the electric truck is a new exciting example; a promising initiative that could potentially mean a major turnaround in CO₂ emission.”

Unique partnership
This important first could only be achieved by joining forces. No less than 16 parties are partner in this electric truck project. Both public and private parties from various sectors work together and are willing to share knowledge with each other. Thanks to this collaboration, it is possible to optimally use the truck; a textbook example of asset sharing.

More information about the parties involved in the electric truck project can be found via the links below:
Den Hartogh: www.denhartogh.com
Huntsman: www.Huntsman.com
Agility: www.agility.com
Port of Rotterdam: www.portofrotterdam.com
Municipality of Rotterdam: www.rotterdam.nl
BREYTNER: www.breytner.com
H.N. Post & Zonen: www.hnpostenzonen.nl
Struyk Verwo Infra: www.struykverwoinfra.nl
Plus Retail: www.plus.nl
EMOSS: www.emoss.nl
P van der Velden: www.pvandervelden.eu
TNO: www.tno.nl

Rotterdam Climate Agreement
The electrification of (heavy) vehicles is important to work towards a clean, attractive, healthy and CO₂ neutral city. With the use of this electric truck, one of Rotterdam’s climate deals (Climate Deal 23) has been achieved. Together with all participants the city is working on making its own business operations fossil free.