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Industrijske novice • 9 min branja

Gorivo proti polnjenju: Je prehod na elektriko cenejši ali le bolj zelen?

Ustvarjeno: 28. 07. 2025

Posodobljeno: 19. 09. 2025

Razmah električnih polnilnih postaj za težka tovorna vozila po vsej Evropi je povzročil prehodno obdobje na obsežnih cestnih omrežjih celine. Številni upravljavci voznih parkov in vozniki še vedno uporabljajo klasična tovorna vozila na dizelski pogon. Vendar se zaradi nadaljnjega razvoja panoge obeta prehod na električna težka tovorna vozila.

Za oceno izvedljivosti prehoda upravljavcev voznega parka z dizelskega na električni pogon je SNAP pripravil raziskavo o stroških polnjenja težkih tovornih vozil v primerjavi s polnjenjem na različnih evropskih tovornih poteh. Izračunali smo prihranke električne energije v primerjavi z dizelskim gorivom v evrih na 100 km v 35 evropskih državah.

Ugotovili smo, da je Islandija vodilna s povprečnim prihrankom stroškov v višini 61,03 EUR na 100 km, nordijske države Norveška in Finska pa so na drugem oziroma tretjem mestu po višini prihrankov. Na drugi strani lestvice je najmanj stroškov prihranila Hrvaška, in sicer 19,96 EUR na 100 km, sledita pa ji Ciper in Moldavija.

V tem članku razkrivamo prihranke stroškov po evropskih državah in analiziramo nekatere prihranke stroškov po evropskih državah ter analiziramo nekatere zunanje dejavnike, ki bi lahko vplivali na te prihranke. Poglobimo se tudi v to, kakšna je lahko prihodnost vozil eHGV v Evropi ter kako lahko vozila eHGV pomagajo upravljavcem voznih parkov in voznikom prihraniti denar, zlasti pri vozniških proračunih.

Kako se stroški vozil eHGV in dizelskega goriva gibljejo po EU

Naša raziskava je pokazala, da je v vseh preučevanih evropskih državah uporaba eHGV z električnim polnjenjem prihranila denar v primerjavi z uporabo tradicionalnega težkega tovornega vozila z gorivom. Glavna razlika je bila v tem, koliko so se prihranki stroškov razlikovali. Na primer, cena električne energije v najdražji državi, Islandiji, je 206 % višja (41 EUR) kot v najcenejši državi, Hrvaški.

Ugotovili smo, da bo voznik električnega tovornega vozila v primerjavi z voznikom dizelskega tovornega vozila v povprečju prihranil 30,59 EUR na 100 km. To pomeni, da vozniki električnih težkih tovornih vozil na dolge razdalje v povprečju prihranijo 37 200 EUR* na leto, vozniki na domačem trgu pa 24 800 EUR*.

Pri zbiranju podatkov smo pregledali 35 evropskih držav in primerjali stroške energije ali goriva na 100 km za dve vrsti težkih tovornih vozil (HGV). Šlo je za standardno dizelsko težko tovorno vozilo, pri katerem je poraba goriva znašala 35 litrov na 100 km po povprečni maloprodajni ceni dizelskega goriva v vsaki državi, in električno težko tovorno vozilo, pri katerem je poraba električne energije znašala 108 kWh na 100 km na podlagi povprečne cene električne energije za negospodinjstva. DDV in vračljivi davki so bili iz teh izračunov izključeni. Primerjava odraža samo neposredne stroške "na črpalki" ali "na vtičnici" brez upoštevanja dejavnikov, kot so velikost voznega parka, sklenjene pogodbe o dobavi energije ali prihodnje spremembe cen goriva in električne energije.

Pri raziskovanju cen dizelskega goriva in električne energije so bili uporabljeni številni viri, med drugim Eurostat, CEIC, GlobalPetrolPrices, Webfleet in Gov.uk. Opozoriti velja, da se nekateri od teh virov nanašajo na "Veliko Britanijo", drugi pa na "Združeno kraljestvo". Za namene te raziskave sta bila oba izraza obravnavana kot zamenljiva.

Države, ki s prehodom na električna tovorna vozila prihranijo največ

Islandija (61,03 EUR), Norveška (49,31 EUR) in Finska (49,12 EUR) so trenutno države, v katerih je mogoče največ prihraniti s prehodom na električna tovorna vozila.

To je predvsem posledica tega, da so te države med najdražjimi v Evropi za dizelsko gorivo. Islandija je najdražja država v Evropi za dizelsko gorivo (2,07 EUR na liter). Ta visoka cena je v veliki meri posledica geografske izoliranosti v primerjavi s preostalo Evropo, zaradi česar so stroški uvoza dizelskega goriva veliko višji kot v drugih evropskih državah. Islandija je tako kot Norveška in Finska znana tudi po visoki davčni stopnji, ki prav tako prispeva k visokim stroškom goriva.

Norveška (32 %) in Islandija (18 %) sta prav tako dve državi na vrhu na svetu po deležu električnih avtomobilov na cestah med vsemi osebnimi avtomobili na cestah. Zato sta obe državi veliko vlagali v infrastrukturo za polnjenje električnih avtomobilov.

Islandija je majhna in ima glavno obvoznico, zato je tudi lažje v rednih časovnih presledkih namestiti električne polnilne postaje za voznike električnih tovornih vozil. Enako utemeljitev lahko delno uporabimo tudi za druge države z manjšimi omrežji, ki imajo visoko stopnjo prihrankov stroškov, vključno z Albanijo, Srbijo in Belgijo - čeprav je treba opozoriti, da imajo vse tri tudi nekatere od najdražjih cen dizelskega goriva v Evropi, kar prispeva k razliki v prihrankih stroškov.

Spodnja tabela prikazuje 10 držav z največjimi prihranki pri uporabi električnih tovornih vozil:

"Vozniki po vsej Evropi že varčujejo s prehodom na električna tovorna vozila. Prehod na polnjenje električnih tovornih vozil je prihodnost panoge in SNAP je pripravljen pomagati voznikom in upravljavcem voznih parkov pri tem prehodu. "

Matthew Bellamy - upravni direktor v podjetju SNAP

Države, ki s prehodom na električna tovorna vozila prihranijo najmanj

Hrvaška (19,96 EUR), Ciper (21,16 EUR) in Moldavija (22,72 EUR) so trenutno tri države z najnižjimi prihranki v Evropi.

Hrvaška ima drugo najpočasnejšo stopnjo uporabe električnih vozil v EU, takoj za Poljsko. Deloma je to posledica slabe hrvaške infrastrukture za polnjenje električnih vozil, kot so polnilne postaje, pri katerih je treba poklicati službo za pomoč uporabnikom ali uporabiti več različnih aplikacij za začetek postopka polnjenja, slabe usmeritve za polnilne postaje zunaj glavnih avtocest in potencialno dolge čakalne dobe na vrhuncu turistične sezone. Poleg tega na Hrvaškem ni polnilnih postaj za zelo visoke hitrosti (180 kW in več), kar je lahko težava za električna težka tovorna vozila, ki potrebujejo več energije kot povprečno električno vozilo.

Ciper in Moldavija imata notranja geopolitična vprašanja, ki otežujejo načrtovanje infrastrukture za polnjenje električnih vozil (kot tudi nacionalno načrtovanje na splošno). Na Cipru je severna polovica otoka - vključno s polovico glavnega mesta Nikozija - od leta 1974 okupirana s strani Turške republike Severni Ciper, ki jo podpira Turčija. Za Moldavijo vzhodna pokrajina Pridnestrje deluje kot dejanska država z lastno vlado. To pomeni, da obe državi ne moreta dosledno izvajati infrastrukture EV na ozemlju, ki ga štejeta za svoje.

Težave na Cipru so še večje zaradi visokih stroškov električne energije, medtem ko so cene dizelskega goriva v Moldaviji pete najcenejše v Evropi. Moldavija je tudi druga najrevnejša država v Evropi, zaradi česar so naložbe v infrastrukturo za električna vozila velik izziv. Vsi ti dejavniki prispevajo k nizkim splošnim prihrankom pri stroških električnih tovornih vozil.

Tudi Poljska je nizko na seznamu s prihrankom stroškov v višini 24,22 EUR. Kljub impresivni gospodarski rasti in vse večjim naložbam v infrastrukturo za polnjenje električnih vozil je pokritost na nekaterih območjih države še vedno problematična, čeprav se bo to v prihodnosti verjetno spremenilo (https://alternative-fuels-observatory.ec.europa.eu/general-information/news/poland-launches-major-funding-programs-zero-emission-transport).

Države, kot so Španija (32,20 EUR), Romunija (30,62 EUR) in Irska (30,54 EUR), so na sredini poti, ko gre za prihranek stroškov za električna tovorna vozila. To je verjetno posledica tega, da imajo te države vedno bolj razvito infrastrukturo za polnjenje električnih vozil ter srednje visoke cene električne energije in dizelskega goriva.

Spodnja tabela prikazuje 10 držav, v katerih so prihranki pri uporabi električnih tovornih vozil najnižji:

Prihranki stroškov električnih tovornih vozil v Združenem kraljestvu

V Združenem kraljestvu so prihranki pri stroških električnih tovornih vozil znašali 36,23 EUR, kar ga uvršča na 11. mesto na svetu po prihrankih pri stroških polnjenja na 100 km. To je predvsem posledica visokih cen goriva v Združenem kraljestvu, saj so cene dizla tretje najdražje v Evropi. Čeprav prihranki zaradi visokih cen dizelskega goriva vsekakor prispevajo k visokim prihrankom pri stroških eHGV v Združenem kraljestvu, bi bili ti verjetno veliko višji, če električna energija v Združenem kraljestvu ne bi bila tudi med najdražjimi v Evropi.

Tudi v Združenem kraljestvu pričakujejo izboljšanje infrastrukture za polnjenje električnih vozil. Britansko podjetje Moto, ki se ukvarja s storitvami na avtocestah, aktivno načrtuje izgradnjo 15 "superhub" do leta 2027. Ti superhubi lahko učinkoviteje kot standardne polnilnice za električna vozila prilagodijo polnjenje električnih vozil eHGV. Na britanskih cestah je trenutno manj kot pet posebnih polnilnih mest za vozila eHGV. Ker nameravajo vlagati tudi druga podjetja, kot sta BP Pulse in Aegis Energy, se zdi verjetno, da bo Združeno kraljestvo v bližnji prihodnosti imelo precej izboljšano omrežje za polnjenje težkih tovornih vozil.

Kaj vpliva na elektrifikacijo težkih tovornih vozil?

Na elektrifikacijo težkih tovornih vozil trenutno vpliva več dejavnikov, vključno s pomanjkanjem polnilne infrastrukture, dolgim časom polnjenja, visokimi začetnimi stroški predelave eHGV in njihovim omejenim dosegom. Poleg tega so zaradi razmeroma nizkih stroškov in dostopnosti dizelskega goriva in vozil tradicionalna težka tovorna vozila privlačna možnost za [upravljavce voznih parkov] (https://snapacc.com/fleet-operators/).

Vendar se vsi ti vplivi lahko razlikujejo glede na državo delovanja. Na primer, če vaš vozni park obratuje le na domačem trgu v državi, kot sta Norveška ali Islandija, bo verjetno manj prizadet kot vozni park, ki obratuje po vsej Evropi ali v regijah s slabšo infrastrukturo eHGV, na primer na Balkanu.

Nezadostna infrastruktura za polnjenje

Glavna ovira za elektrifikacijo težkih tovornih vozil je nezadostna infrastruktura za polnjenje eHGV. To je zato, ker vozila eHGV zahtevajo megavatno polnjenje, ki ga večina obstoječih polnilnih mest za osebna vozila (standardni električni avtomobili in kombiji) ne podpira.

V Evropi je veliko držav, v katerih takšne infrastrukture zelo primanjkuje, zlasti na glavnih tovornih poteh in postajališčih za tovornjake. To so običajno revnejše države v južni in vzhodni Evropi, kot so Moldavija, Gruzija in Bolgarija. Ni naključje, da se te države uvrščajo v spodnjo deseterico držav, kjer se prihranijo stroški z eHGV.

Lahko se tudi zgodi, da polnilne postaje za vozila eHGV obstajajo, vendar so na območjih, ki zaradi šibkega lokalnega električnega omrežja preprosto ne morejo sprejeti več vozil eHGV, ki se polnijo čez noč. To je pogosto težava v bolj podeželskih in oddaljenih delih Evrope.

Čeprav mnoge evropske države načrtujejo izboljšanje infrastrukture za eHGV, je to še vedno dolgotrajen in drag proces s številnimi birokratskimi, logističnimi in tehničnimi ovirami, ki jih je treba premagati - da ne omenjamo okoliških infrastrukturnih posodobitev, kot so povezave z lokalnim omrežjem, ki bodo prav tako potrebne.

Dolgi časi polnjenja

Električna tovorna vozila se polnijo veliko dlje kot standardna električna vozila. To pomeni, da se morajo pogosto polniti čez noč. Tudi če je mogoče pridobiti hitre polnilnice za vozila eHGV, postopek še vedno traja vsaj dve uri in ne le nekaj minut, kot je to značilno za bencinska vozila.

Ta dolgi čas polnjenja ima lahko za upravljavce voznih parkov posledice v smislu časa obratovanja. V panogi, kjer so urniki in roki za dostavo zelo kratki, je to lahko škodljivo za poslovno uspešnost.

Omejena ponudba vozil eHGV

Električna težka tovorna vozila so omejena tudi zaradi relativno omejenega dosega v primerjavi s kilometrskim dosegom, ki ga omogočajo tradicionalna težka tovorna vozila. Po podatkih podjetja Safety Shield ima tipično električno težko tovorno vozilo z enim polnjenjem doseg približno 300 milj (približno razdalja od Londona do Rotterdama). Tipično težko tovorno vozilo na dizelski pogon pa lahko z enim rezervoarjem goriva prevozi do 1000 milj (približno razdalja od Londona do Varšave).

Na prevožene kilometre električnih tovornih vozil lahko bolj vplivajo tudi zunanji dejavniki, kot so obremenitev, hladno vreme in teren. To lahko pri voznikih povzroči tesnobo glede dosega, zato se lahko pogosteje polnijo, da bi si zagotovili dovolj energije za prihod na cilj. To pa lahko privede do zamud pri dostavi, zlasti pri vožnji skozi države s slabo infrastrukturo za polnjenje vozil eHGV.

Zaradi vsega tega je optimizacija poti ključnega pomena za upravljavce voznih parkov, ki načrtujejo vožnje za svoja vozila eHGV. Opozoriti je treba, da se tehnologija baterij nenehno razvija in da se bo v bližnji prihodnosti zmogljivost - in s tem število prevoženih kilometrov - še naprej izboljševala.

Visoki stroški eHGV

Začetni stroški eHGV so visoki (običajno med 160.000 in 200.000 funtov v primerjavi z 80.000 in 100.000 funtov za dizelsko težko tovorno vozilo), kar lahko odvrne neodvisne voznike in manjše upravljavce voznih parkov od tega, da bi si ga izposodili. Razlog za to je predvsem strošek tehnologije akumulatorjev. To pomeni, da bo nakup novega električnega težkega tovornega vozila drag, saj je tehnologija v njem dražja kot pri dizelskem težkem tovornem vozilu.

Visoki začetni stroški nakupa vozil eHGV pomenijo tudi, da se bodo upravljavci voznih parkov v državah s cenejšo električno energijo za polnjenje vozil eHGV, kot so Norveška, Švedska ali Finska, pogosteje odločali za prehod, saj se jim bo naložba povrnila hitreje kot upravljavcem v državah z drago električno energijo, kot sta Irska in Hrvaška.

Cene električne energije lahko nihajo tudi zaradi različnih dogodkov. V zadnjih petih letih so na primer cene električne energije nihale zaradi odpiranja gospodarstev po pandemiji COVID-19 in nato zaradi ruskega vdora v Ukrajino leta 2022 (zlasti slednji je imel velike posledice za evropsko oskrbo z energijo). Posledično je v obdobju po invaziji prišlo do skoraj 30-odstotnega skoka cen električne energije, in sicer z 20,5 c€/kWh, na 26,5 c€/kWh za povprečno prestolnico EU. Ker pa je povprečje EU zdaj nižje kot leta 2022, se zdi, da se bo električno polnjenje tovornih vozil še naprej krepilo.

V Evropi so povprečni stroški vožnje električnega tovornega vozila na razdalji 100 km 20,51 EUR, kar je bistveno manj kot stroški vožnje dizelskega tovornega vozila na isti razdalji, ki znašajo 51,10 EUR.

Z izboljšanjem učinkovitosti in razširjenostjo tehnologije baterij, ki je cenejša za proizvodnjo, bodo tudi vozila eHGV postala cenovno dostopnejša.

Cenovno ugodno in dostopno dizelsko gorivo

Dizelsko gorivo ima še vedno prevladujočo vlogo v industriji težkih tovornih vozil. To je zato, ker je infrastruktura za dizelsko gorivo v Evropi že desetletja dobro uveljavljena, zlasti v primerjavi z električnimi polnilnicami za težka tovorna vozila. Zaradi združljivosti dizelskega goriva s karticami za gorivo in njegove relativno nizke cene ostaja priljubljeno tudi pri upravljavcih voznih parkov tovornih vozil.

Tako kot pri električni energiji tudi vrednost dizelskega goriva po vsej celini niha. Zato se v državah, kot so Moldavija, Gruzija in Malta, kjer je dizelsko gorivo še vedno poceni, lahko zdi, da je ugodneje ostati pri dizelskih tovornih vozilih. V državah, kot sta Islandija in Nizozemska, kjer je dizelsko gorivo razmeroma drago, pa obstaja večja spodbuda za prehod na električna tovorna vozila.

Država s poceni gorivom bo morda tudi bolj zadržana pri obsežnih naložbah v infrastrukturo za eHGV, saj se boji, da bo odvrnila tradicionalne vozne parke težkih tovornih vozil, ki bodo zaradi tega morda izbrali alternativne poti.

Prihodnost električnih tovornih vozil v Evropi

Električna tovorna vozila so dolgoročna prihodnost cestnega tovornega prometa. Ne le, da je njihova uporaba sčasoma cenejša, temveč bodo zaradi hitrega vlaganja v novo infrastrukturo in njene izgradnje postala tudi finančno in strateško veliko bolj donosna.

Poleg gospodarskih koristi so električna tovorna vozila pomembna tudi zaradi svojega prispevka k okoljskim ciljem, kot je Net Zero. Tradicionalna težka tovorna vozila so velika onesnaževala, zato se bodo prihranjene emisije, ki jih bodo proizvedla eHGV, poznale v čistejšem zraku po vsej Evropi.

Naslednji trendi bodo v prihodnosti vplivali na električna tovorna vozila:

  • Smart truck parks: Truck parks in the future will evolve to better accommodate eHGVs alongside other smart technological advancements. These truck parks may include up-to-date ultra-fast charging stations, diagnostic machines, battery swap stations, and automated cleaning services, among other features.
  • Increased EU regulations: Low Emission Zones (LEZs) already exist in a number of cities (e.g. Paris, Berlin, and Milan) with more European cities likely to follow suit with more stringent EU transport regulations. Fleet operators may opt for eHGVs to meet EU regulations or retrofit their HGVs with cleaner technologies, like smart tachographs.
  • AI implementation: AI technology has already had a profound sustainability impact across road haulage — with applications in route optimisation, predictive maintenance, and autonomous vehicle development. Electric vehicles will likely incorporate AI to help drive sustainability in the haulage industry over the coming decades.
  • Sustainability: The shift to eHGVs is part of a wider global push toward sustainable living. The effects of extreme weather, including heatwaves and floods across Europe, show no sign of slowing due to climate change. Moving to electric HGVs is one way the world is reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Fuel variety: During the transition to cleaner fuel sources, there will be a variety of HGV types on the road throughout the 2030s. Many will be older diesel models, some will be electric, and others will be powered by alternative fuels such as biofuel made from renewable biomass sources.

Pametnejše upravljanje stroškov eHGV

Električna težka tovorna vozila so prihodnost, o tem ni dvoma. Zaradi ekonomskih in okoljskih koristi bo v prihodnjih letih vse več upravljavcev voznih parkov in voznikov prešlo na električna kombinirana vozila. Kako dolgo bo trajalo to prehodno obdobje, je odvisno od tega, kako hitro bo Evropa razvila svojo polnilno infrastrukturo za eHGV.

Trenutno so na celini velike površine, na katerih vozila eHGV niso izvedljiva in na katerih je zaradi krajšega dosega potrebna obsežna optimizacija poti. Poleg tega lahko začetni stroški odvračajo neodvisne voznike in manjše upravljavce voznih parkov.

Tehnologija in infrastruktura se bosta še naprej izboljševali, na voljo pa so že storitve, namenjene čim enostavnejšemu upravljanju voznih parkov eHGV in s tem povezanih stroškov. Od optimizacije poti in upravljanja voznega parka do zemljevidov za parkiranje in pranje tovornjakov - SNAP poenostavlja prevoz tovornjakov.

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ponedeljek 03 november 2025 • Industrijske novice

9 NAČINOV, KAKO ZAZNAVANJE AI SPREMINJA INDUSTRIJO VOZNIH PARKOV

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Telematics solutions have been critical to fleets nationwide because through improved behaviour and training programmes. AI algorithms are essential to analysing real-time traffic data, like road closures and weather conditions. Congestion can be significant, especially if your routes pass through London. A 2024 Inrix report said drivers when driving in the capital city. ML models can quickly identify bottlenecks and adverse weather to meet critical delivery times. Fleet managers benefit because their drivers can improve on-time performance. Route optimisation means deliveries are more likely to arrive during scheduled windows. It also enhances driver behaviours by idling less and covering fewer miles. Modern AI technologies rapidly detect roadway closures and unexpected weather changes to minimise disruptions. Accident reporting used to include manual logs and documentation. However, AI can reduce labour needs by automatically detecting and submitting incident reports. From collisions to near misses, these technologies can recognise potential incidents. Sensors gather relevant information at the event’s timing to provide more context. Unusual circumstances like airbag deployment can also be part of the automatic reporting. Once AI detection is complete, the system compiles information into a standardised report. Manual logs can create time-consuming tasks, so AI can automate these processes and free up staff. Fleet managers and insurers receive the report, thus ensuring compliance and accurate communication. Advanced technologies capture relevant data and use consistent formatting, so all parties get the critical details. Unexpected vehicle breakdowns can disrupt schedules and delay deliveries. AI helps fleet managers detect these problems before they become significant issues. From engine temperature to oil pressure, characteristics are monitored in real time. Advanced algorithms identify subtle anomalies and alert operators when a component is nearing failure. While fixed service intervals can be beneficial, AI lets you be more proactive and schedule maintenance precisely. Tire pressure sensors are an excellent example, especially for construction and utility companies. Experts say air compressors than equipment needs to maintain best practises. These sensors continually monitor output and detect gradual drops, flagging early signs of leaks.AI detection in fleets goes beyond studying driver behaviour. Telematics and sensors analyse speed and acceleration patterns to better understand fuel consumption. The systems monitor your vehicles for excessive idling and inefficient routing that increases petrol or diesel usage. AI can tailor recommendations to drivers by offering optimised speed ranges or maintenance needs.Fleet managers benefit by getting aggregated data on fuel consumption and spending. This information helps them make more informed vehicle procurement and route planning decisions. If older vehicles show inefficiencies, it may be time to upgrade the lot. Logistics professionals should compare individual vehicles against industry standards to see outliers. The U.K.’s environmental goals by 2050. Therefore, fleet managers must be more aware of tightening standards and the risk of fines. AI detection helps vehicles through sensors and onboard diagnostics systems, which collect data during operations. ML algorithms identify patterns and anomalies within the information and notify of excessive emissions. AI can alert fleet managers and enable proactive maintenance if a vehicle exceeds emissions thresholds. While humans take measures to reduce greenhouse gases, AI detection is rising to help the transportation industry. A 2025 study said by adapting eco-driving capabilities. The U.S. researchers said implementing it in 10% of vehicles would reduce carbon emissions up to 50%. Another way fleet managers can reduce emissions is through electric vehicle (EV) conversion. EV ownership is rising nationally through private drivers and fleet owners, as a 2025 report from 2023. AI can assist logistics professionals in the transition by recommending when, where and how to electrify their fleets. First-time EV owners may need help with charging windows and infrastructure needs. AI-powered systems detect when and where electric cars could naturally align with charging windows. For example, it could recommend the best times to charge to reduce schedule disruptions. Some may be pondering the switch to EVs, so logistics managers can leverage AI to compare cost data between electric and petrol cars. While AI investment can be a barrier, it may be financially beneficial in the long run. These software options that slows daily operations. Early detection of issues can lead to a more well-maintained fleet, which creates more uptime and revenue. Fleet managers can also save money through enhanced route optimisation and fuel management. AI detection in fleets is essential for streamlining administrative processes. These technologies can automatically perform compliance checks and incident documentation, thus reducing the need for manual paperwork. Your operators can focus more on the bigger picture and less on administrative overhead. If monitoring helps your drivers, it could reduce the cost of vehicle repairs and legal claims. Vehicle and cargo theft ., though they remain significant concerns. AI detection offers additional security layers by reducing the window of opportunity for thieves. Asset tracking features combine GPS and telematics capabilities to monitor real-time location, essential for companies transporting high-value assets. Fleet managers benefit from geofencing features, allowing them to set virtual boundaries. If a truck or van exits these zones, AI-powered systems automatically flag the event and notify logistics professionals. The algorithm is intelligent enough to understand anomalies and security protocols. Abnormalities can trigger security measures like remote disabling. AI is a practical, game-changing tool for fleet managers. Advanced analytics and real-time monitoring empower logistics professionals to drive measurable safety and performance improvements. While technologies are developing, the future is here. Your business should be willing to invest in AI-driven solutions to reduce costs and minimise risks. Discover more from .

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četrtek 28 avgust 2025 • Industrijske novice

ALI SE VOZNI PARKI PREUSMERJAJO NA INTEGRACIJO AVTONOMNIH VOZIL?

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The buzz around self-driving cars isn’t as loud as it used to be, but it remains a constant noise in fleet managers’ ears. The United Kingdom government has moved autonomous vehicle integration pilot plans to 2026, renewing interest in the technology. Will decision-makers ignore the noise or embrace early adoption?Autonomous vehicle integration involves embedding self-driving technologies like artificial intelligence, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and high-definition cameras into commercial fleets. On a broader scale, it entails introducing self-driving cars into existing public transportation systems.Driver assistance systems include collision avoidance, automatic speed adjustment, lane-centring, adaptive cruise control and intelligent ride-hailing. Partial and conditional automation leverage more advanced technologies to enable hands-free operation under certain circumstances.Level 4 and 5 automation are top priorities for automakers but challenging to implement in practice because engineers must account for countless edge cases. Even with advanced AI, perfecting parking and preventing collisions can be difficult. What if the pavement markings are barely visible or a child runs into the road? Adoption hinges on the car’s reaction.According to the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, transport secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the U.K. government will accelerate self-driving commercial pilot plans and aim for Spring 2026. The move could and add £42 billion to the U.K. economy by 2035.The country’s new automated vehicle legislation is among the most robust worldwide, laying the groundwork for widespread commercial adoption. Technological maturity is the only remaining hurdle.In an interview with McKinsey & Company, Sascha Meyer — the CEO of German automotive technology company MOIA — said predicting autonomous vehicle integration timelines has been challenging. In 2016, her enterprise MOIA throughout Europe by 2021.Since then, Meyer has realised adoption entails designing an entire ecosystem, not just driving functions. The new timeline sees self-driving cars in European cities by 2030 at the earliest. The engineers at MOIA are designing the prototype to exceed mandated redundancies. This way, they will be ready to operate commercially once the relevant legislation passes.Delivery, taxi, utility, and commercial fleets are seeing an uptick in driver assistance systems and intelligent automation. However, the penetration rate remains relatively low, especially considering how long the technology has existed. What are their plans for autonomy?Increased efficiency is among the main reasons fleet managers are embracing automation. Unlike humans, driverless vans can operate around the clock. With telematics systems, they can optimise driving and minimise idle time to improve fuel efficiency and expedite trips.AI is immune to human error, eliminating harsh braking and distracted driving. It cannot become fatigued and does not have blind spots. These improvements could help reduce road collisions and car accidents, which can mitigate costly workers’ compensation claims and potentially lower insurance costs.Cost savings are another contributing factor. At Level 4 and 5, owners can optimise labour expenses and compensate for driver shortages. Moreover, electric driverless cars with vehicle-to-grid capacity can over 30 years, helping offset the upfront investment.Aside from waiting for driverless technology to mature, fleet owners are delaying adoption due to high upfront costs. Embedding LiDAR, AI and telematics into every truck is expensive. Buying new instead of retrofitting is equally pricey. Even if cost savings could be found, technology is moving quickly — their investment may quickly become outdated.Safety is another concern. Photo-eye sensors garage doors. They stop the door from closing on objects, cars or people, and are used throughout the industry in car washes and automotive assembly lines. While some automakers utilise camera-only systems, engineers have had to pioneer new solutions. Today, many use LiDAR, global navigation satellite systems and ultrasonic sensors.However, even the most advanced systems are fallible. It is not enough to make automated cars perform as well as people — they must succeed where human drivers fail.Sensors have existed for years, but engineers have not perfected them yet. They may fail in edge cases or unfamiliar scenarios. Level 3 cars only work on premapped, divided highways in clear weather. Given that the U.K. in 2021, they may be too unreliable for adoption at scale.Autonomous vehicle integration may be moving slowly, but it is on track to reach its destination within the next decade. According to Goldman Sachs research, sold worldwide could be Level 3 vehicles by 2030. It forecasts that Level 2 — those requiring driver supervision — will increase from 20% of sales in 2025 to 30% in 2027.Managers should consider the scope and cost of autonomous fleet integration to determine whether early adoption is right for them. It will likely result in long-term savings, but waiting may be more rewarding because it allows time for technological advancement. If the cost-benefit analysis is unconvincing, they should consider incrementally upgrading as cars fail.Those who proceed with adoption must develop operation, storage, security and upgrades policies. These rules should vary depending on the automation level. For instance, drivers of Level 3 lorries should be required to pay full attention to the road to take control if necessary.Educating employees on their role is essential for successful implementation. Volkswagen Financial Services research found consider themselves better drivers than autonomous vehicles, so they are unlikely to overestimate the driverless system’s capabilities. However, they should still receive explicit training on best practices and habits to avoid.Self-driving machines are hard at work in ports and warehouses across Europe. Automating highway vehicles is more challenging because they are not on a fixed track. Also, they must account for variables like weather and other motorists. Geofencing, telematics and AI are accelerating adoption by making the unpredictable predictable. At the very least, these solutions enhance response times and mitigate human error, demonstrating that these previously unproven technologies are just as capable as human motorists.For now, full automation that eliminates the need for human attention remains theoretical. However, hands-free driving is a reality, and driverless systems could soon become standard issue in commercial fleets. As automakers perfect driving functions, fleet owners should prioritise route mapping, driver management and maintenance scheduling.Discover more from .

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četrtek 31 julij 2025 • Industrijske novice

KAKO VROČINSKI VAL V EVROPI VPLIVA NA MOBILNOST: KAKO OSTATI KORAK NAPREJ

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Europe’s roads are baking – and the heat is only rising. Across the continent, July 2025 delivered record-breaking temperatures, infrastructure failures and transport disruption on an unprecedented scale. For fleet operators and professional drivers, the challenge is no longer theoretical. Extreme heat is here and it’s reshaping the mobility landscape in real time.Much has been written about the health impacts and climate signals of this year’s heatwave. But far less attention has been paid to how it’s affecting logistics, freight networks and the people who keep goods moving across borders. This article explores how heatwaves are disrupting Europe’s road transport sector – from melting tarmac and cracked motorways to wildfires, driver safety concerns and delivery delays – and offers practical advice to help fleets stay operational, resilient and one step ahead.According to the , Europe regularly experiences extreme heat, with temperatures well above seasonal norms. In the first week of July 2025, Germany recorded , while Spain and Portugal faced temperatures exceeding 46°C during the month. Europe, as a whole, is warming at roughly .These conditions are not just uncomfortable – they’re operationally disruptive. Research cited by Logistics Business shows that heatwaves are a growing risk factor for freight operations, reducing driver welfare, damaging cargo and delaying deliveries.As a result, temperature-sensitive cargo such as food, pharmaceuticals and electronics are becoming harder to move safely. Operators are seeing rising spoilage rates and late delivery penalties. The situation is especially complex in areas where power grids are stretched by increased cooling demand, reducing cold chain reliability.One of the clearest signs of heat’s toll on mobility came in early July, when parts of Germany’s autobahn network began to crack under the pressure of thermal expansion. Sections of the A1, A9 and A10 motorways, amongst others, were closed for urgent repairs as – a direct consequence of the country’s prolonged heatwave.As ground temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, wildfires are also becoming a regular – and dangerous – feature of European summers. According to Wikipedia’s 2025 European heatwave summary, wildfires have broken out across southern Spain, Germany and Greece, prompting mass evacuations and the temporary closure of major roadways and border crossings.In June 2025, the due to wildfires, while fires closed several in France. These closures don’t just create traffic chaos – they mean that HGVs have to reroute, often through narrow, unsuitable roads that can extend journey times by hours.In addition, smoke reduces visibility for drivers and poses health risks, especially for those spending long hours in-cab with inadequate air filtration. And in many areas, emergency services are stretched, meaning delays in clearing affected roads or managing diversions.The risks to infrastructure are accompanied by risks to people. Professional drivers are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, dehydration and fatigue. SNAP’s for drivers outlines the dangers of overheating cabs, the strain of long hours in high temperatures, and the importance of cooling systems and rest.Many roadside facilities in southern and eastern Europe remain poorly equipped to support driver wellbeing during heatwaves. Air-conditioned rest stops, shaded parking and reliable water access are not guaranteed – making SNAP’s more important than ever.“This summer’s heatwave is a wake-up call,” says Raquel Martinez, European Sales Manager at SNAP. “Europe’s transport systems were designed for a cooler climate. But we’re not going back. Fleets that adapt now – with the right tools, the right rest strategies, and the right technology – will be the ones that thrive.”In response to the heat, several countries have introduced or extended heat-triggered truck bans. As , Bulgaria and Hungary enforced daytime HGV restrictions when temperatures soared in July 2025. Restrictions also applied to heavy vehicles on certain vulnerable roads during specified periods. In addition, national holiday-related truck bans in Germany, France, Poland and Italy are compounding summer congestion. Full details can be found at Trafficban.com, which lists regional and time-based restrictions across the continent.For drivers and planners, these bans create a patchwork of compliance zones and timing limitations that require careful navigation and up-to-date planning tools.With the increasing risks posed by extreme heat, insurers are starting to reassess their exposure. That’s likely to affect premiums across the board. Goods-in-transit cover is under pressure, particularly for temperature-sensitive loads, with more claims arising from spoilage and missed delivery deadlines. Vehicle insurance costs may also rise as claims for heat-related breakdowns and accidents increase. Meanwhile, there’s growing scrutiny around employers’ liability, especially if drivers or staff suffer heat-related health issues due to inadequate welfare provisions. Together, these trends could mean higher premiums and tougher renewal conversations for operators without clear resilience plans in place.At SNAP, we believe the key to navigating Europe’s heatwaves lies in preparation, planning and proactive welfare management. Use real-time weather data to help drivers avoid high-risk routes. Stock vehicles with water, shade equipment and emergency cooling kits. Stay informed of changing truck bans across borders using verified sources like Trafficban.com. Encourage drivers to use apps like to locate well-equipped, air-conditioned facilities across Europe. Pay extra attention to tyres, cooling systems and battery performance during maintenance – especially for electric or hybrid vehicles. Ensure policies account for climate-related delays, cargo spoilage and fire damage.Check out our or download the today. With thousands of trusted partners across Europe, it’s your shortcut to safer stops – whatever the temperature.