eCargo – Reducing truck emissions by developing EV charging network

Transport is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Finland. Heavy vehicles account for a significant share of transport emissions, and therefore, the electrification of heavy vehicles has great potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The capital region is the most important integrated economic area and freight transport area in Finland. As heavy vehicles travel across municipal boundaries, their emissions pose a common challenge for the whole region.

In the capital region, approximately 27 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are generated by transport. Trucks and vans account for 33 per cent of these transport emissions. Transport is a very significant source of carbon dioxide emissions in all European cities. Therefore, the solutions and operating models developed here in the capital region are in high demand both nationally and internationally.

Because the electrification of trucks has been very slow, according to calculations, the share of emissions from truck transport will continue to increase. Therefore, reducing emissions from truck transport is crucial for achieving the carbon neutrality goals set by the cities.

Faster electrification of trucks and vans requires that sufficient public charging infrastructure be available to logistics companies. ‘Public charging’ is a common term for an electric vehicle charging station that anyone can use after registering as a user. It does not refer to a service provided by the public sector, as virtually all charging stations are operated by a private company.

Small and medium-sized logistics companies often do not have the resources to invest in their own charging stations. There is a clear shortage of publicly available charging infrastructure serving vehicles larger than passenger cars. At the moment, there are no public charging stations for heavy vehicles in the capital region.

The purpose of the eCargo project is to promote the carbon neutrality and energy efficiency of the logistics sector in the capital region by laying the groundwork for the development of a market-based charging network for heavy vehicles. The project’s main target groups are companies providing logistics services in the entire region’s value chain as well as the capital region cities. Supporting the electrification of heavy vehicles will offer small and medium-sized companies both competitive advantages and cost savings in the long run.

The eCargo project will have a major impact as a driving force. The main aim of the project is to take the first steps towards developing a public charging network for heavy vehicles and thus get extensive electrification started in the capital region. This will have an enormous impact on transport emissions, especially in the long term. The project will develop a concept of a charging solution for large vans and trucks (without trailers) and an operating model for public charging infrastructure that is suitable for the area.

The project is carried out by Forum Virium Helsinki, the City of Espoo and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences as a joint project.

1 January 2025–30 June 2026