The Roads to Carbon Neutral - Season 5 - Episode 6 - The Future of Freight

Jean-Michel Hieronimus, Head of Road & Off Road Solutions, TotalEnergies:

Innovation, as always, move us forward.

First it was carriages pulled by horses and eventually combustion engines, and now diesel trucks could become history as well.
The very first electric vehicle was built in the late 1800, but it appears that the diesel engine had a better efficiency.
My very first contact with trucks was during my army.
For United Nations, bringing food and medicines to remote villages and the reliability of these trucks was key.
Transport is a cornerstone of modern economies.
It circulates industry, people and possibilities.
We are on the cusp of a revolution in how we transport goods on our roads.
Tracks are the backbone of Europe economy, moving nearly 75% of all goods across the continent, but they also represent 7% of the global energy related CO₂ emissions.
Total Energy is investing in EV charging network across Europe and beyond, helping to transition towards the most sustainable transports.

Ulrich Loebich, Daimler Truck France CEO:

As a manufacturer and you as the one providing charging infrastructure, this is really where we create this partnership and make it alive.

Jean-Michel Hieronimus:

What was your biggest challenge you face in this transition towards electric?

Ulrich Loebich:

Electric trucks require a new design first of all to generate the space for the batteries and then there's a new drivetrain, not with an engine, but with an E axle integrating engine, transmission and the axle in one piece.
A truck is a pure economic tool and you don't drive it for fun, you drive it to run a business.
Any shift in technology should make financial sense for the owner over the lifespan of the truck.

Jean-Michel Hieronimus:

Better roads were key in the uptake for gas powered vehicle.
It's not just about chargers, it's about creating a whole network T4T stand for together for transition and it's about creating a collective intelligence among all the actors of this system, meaning energy supplier and transport companies, OEMs, and we try to find the solution for the future resilience Que Escanto and you too say excellence Agria Black NGO.

Farinha Fernandez, conducteur poids-lourds:

Silence. What can you hear? Nothing. It’s great. It’s nice to drive. The trucks reacts fast. You barely press the accelerator and it responds. And if you can recharge where you stop? That’s fantastic! A full charge gives me 500 km, allowing me easily to complete my round in the Paris area. It’s easily doable and that’s’great.

Jean-Michel Hieronimus:

When it comes to cutting emission across Rd transports, there is no silver bullets at Total Energies.
That means thinking beyond electricity.

Mathieu Soulas, Senior Vice President New Mobilities & Marketing at TotalEnergies:

Rd transport is diverse from city deliveries to a long all freight.
And if these are key but not of one side fits all and not all sectors or all use cases can switch right away.

That's why we're investing in smart TV charging, especially for depots, but we're also investing in low carbon fuels such as biofuels, biogas and hydrogen.

Jean-Michel Hieronimus:

So it's about matching the right energy with the right needs?

Mathieu Soulas:

Exactly.
And innovation plays a big role.
From smart charging algorithm to working with truck manufacturers in improving their powertrain and efficiency, it's all about helping our customers transition smoothly.
No single actor builds the future alone.

Jean-Michel Hieronimus:

Innovation requires collaborations.
Energy providers, cities, transport companies, truck manufacturers all moving together.
We passed this awesome carts era, now there is no going back.

[TotalEnergies logo]