Rhenus High Tech Participates in the Stuttgart Project REALIST

Rhenus High Tech, market leader in technical distribution, is participating in the research project REALIST aimed at electrifying urban delivery traffic in Stuttgart. Together with the University of Stuttgart and the City of Stuttgart, a two-year feasibility study and practical tests with electric trucks in real logistics operations are being conducted. Rhenus High Tech is the logistics partner of this so-called real laboratory. The first electric truck from Rhenus High Tech will enter the testing phase in mid-August 2024.

(Holzwickede/Stuttgart) Rhenus High Tech has established itself as an expert in value-added logistics for technically demanding products such as electric charging stations, medical devices, as well as photovoltaic systems and heat pumps. To ensure a swift, safe, and flexible transport in two-person handling to the point of use, the logistics provider has a comprehensive network, high capacities, and a specialized fleet for product-friendly distribution.

In addition, Rhenus High Tech regularly tests approaches for more environmentally friendly logistics. By participating in the REALIST project (real laboratory for accelerated electrification of urban logistics traffic in Stuttgart), the company once again underscores its commitment to sustainable logistics in Germany. Frank Willemelis, fleet manager at Rhenus High Tech, expressed enthusiasm about the participation: “Rhenus High Tech is among the pioneers of green logistics on the last mile. Therefore, we are happy to support this groundbreaking project and are proud to generate real feasibility metrics through our involvement, contributing to the improvement of the environmental friendliness of logistics in city centers.”

During the project phase, Rhenus High Tech also aims to test to what extent downtime during the installation and integration of devices can be combined with the loading of electric trucks, in order to get closer to the goal of CO2-neutral deliveries. The project is funded as part of the Climate Innovation Fund of the City of Stuttgart. Charlotte Wagner, project manager at the University of Stuttgart, highlights the unique feature: “REALIST is characterized by the unique coupling of logistics and power grid, leading to economically and technically feasible concepts.”

Frank Willemelis, fleet manager of Rhenus High Tech; Dennis Bullinger, site manager of Rhenus High Tech Stuttgart; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Krzysztof Rudion, head of the Renewable Energy Grid Integration department at the University of Stuttgart, and Charlotte Wagner, project manager at the University of Stuttgart. © Rhenus Group

A Project in Three Phases

The concept of REALIST consists of three phases: a feasibility study, practical tests with logistics partners, and the gradual introduction of the concept into the market. While the feasibility analysis has been ongoing since August 2022, practical tests at Rhenus High Tech started in August 2024. The project not only tests the use of electric trucks but also the power supply concept for electric city deliveries, which will be tested in an industrial area of Stuttgart. The participating logistics companies will test a transition of their processes with the use of an electric truck.

Installation of Charging Infrastructure

As part of the real laboratory, Rhenus High Tech is responsible for the installation of charging infrastructure as well as the procurement and operation of an electric truck. Additionally, the company provides experience and telematics data that enable optimal deployment planning and monitoring of vehicle performance. Continuous information exchange among the participants throughout the project duration ensures that everyone is up to date and works together on solutions. The insights gained from the practical tests will serve as the basis for the power supply and logistics concept for electric city deliveries in Stuttgart during the final phase of the gradual market introduction of the concept.

Title graphic: © University of Stuttgart