Electric commercial vehicles in alpine use: challenges and opportunities

The transportation of goods through our Alpine landscape is essential for many regional economies - from local bakers in the Engadin to craft businesses in the Bernese Alps and logistics companies that supply our valleys. At the same time, these sensitive ecosystems are particularly susceptible to emissions and noise. Can electric commercial vehicles, which we often see in the lowlands, also conquer steep mountain passes and enable a clean future for Alpine transportation? An exciting question with plenty of potential for down-to-earth, dynamic solutions!

Challenges: When electric commercial vehicles meet alpine reality

The idea of seeing quiet and emission-free electric commercial vehicles driving through the mountains is tempting. But using them in the Alps brings with it specific hurdles that we have to overcome together.

Technical challenges

• Battery performance in the cold and on inclines: Anyone who has ever ridden an e-bike on a mountain knows that inclines consume a lot of energy. This is even more the case for commercial vehicles in alpine terrain. Then there is the cold: low temperatures can reduce the usable capacity and performance of the battery. Studies show that the range can drop by up to 20% at -10°C. A vehicle with a range of 300 km in the lowlands may only manage 240 km in the Alps. This requires good planning and powerful batteries.
• Charging infrastructure for heavyweights: The network of charging solutions is growing in the lowlands. However, the necessary infrastructure is often lacking for electric commercial vehicles that need a lot of energy quickly, especially in remote mountain valleys or along Alpine transit routes. Systems such as the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), which enables significantly faster charging, are still in their infancy. A nationwide network is important to allay fears of "empty batteries" in the mountains. This challenge is also being recognized in urban regions of Switzerland, where work is gradually being done to improve the charging infrastructure (Go Green Switzerland).
• Energy recovery on the test: Long downhill stretches offer a great opportunity for energy recovery (recuperation). Modern electric commercial vehicles can recover some of the energy required here. However, the system must be robust and also function reliably on long, steep descents without overheating.
• Temperature management: In extreme conditions, sophisticated thermal management for the battery and drive components is crucial to ensure optimum performance.

Economic challenges

• Higher acquisition costs: The investment in an electric commercial vehicle is generally higher than for a comparable diesel model - in some cases 40% more. This can be a major hurdle for SMEs or municipalities, even if the higher costs are offset by lower operating costs (electricity vs. diesel, less maintenance) over the vehicle's service life (total cost of ownership - TCO).
• Grid expansion in the periphery: The necessary charging infrastructure requires an expansion of the electricity grid, especially in structurally weak or remote mountain regions. The costs for this can be considerable and cannot always be borne by the logistics companies alone.
• Regulatory adjustments: With the introduction of the European Electronic Toll System (EETS) in Switzerland, freight forwarders and transport companies will have to make additional adjustments (Trans.info). These and other regulatory changes influence the economic considerations when switching to electromobility in Alpine transportation.
• Training and education: Drivers and maintenance personnel require specific know-how in handling electric vehicles, which means additional investment in further training.

Opportunities: Why electric commercial vehicles can shine, especially in the Alps

Despite the challenges, electric commercial vehicles offer significant advantages, especially in an alpine context, and open up new possibilities.

Clean air and quiet valleys

• Noise reduction in tourist areas: The Swiss mountains are a popular destination for tourists looking for peace and nature. Loud diesel engines disturb this idyll. Electric vehicles are significantly quieter and thus contribute to the attractiveness of mountain destinations.
• No local emissions: Exhaust gases pollute the sensitive ecosystems in the mountains and the air quality in the valleys. Electric vehicles produce no local emissions. This protects the environment and the health of local residents. This is particularly relevant in sensitive zones or in view of future Alpine Convention regulations and the stricter CO₂ regulations that will come into force from 2025 (TIR Transnews).
• Image advantage for companies: The use of environmentally friendly means of transportation strengthens the sustainability profile and can serve as a competitive advantage with environmentally conscious customers.

Technical innovations for alpine use

• Efficient energy recovery: The topography with many ascents and descents is ideal for the use of recuperation systems. Advanced systems with dual energy recovery can maximize efficiency.
• Battery thermal management: Modern battery technologies have sophisticated thermal management systems that can optimize performance even at extreme temperatures (e.g. -20°C). This is crucial for reliable operation in winter.
• Alternative drive technologies: In addition to purely battery-electric vehicles, fuel cell trucks are also being tested under extreme conditions in the Swiss Alps (Ecomento). This technology could be a particularly promising alternative for heavy commercial vehicles on long alpine routes.
• Specific suitability for the Alps: New developments such as improved traction control for slippery roads or optimized heating and cooling systems are making e-vehicles increasingly suitable for the Alps.

Focus on Swiss pioneering work

Innovation-driven Swiss companies such as Flux Mobility AG are already demonstrating that electric commercial vehicles are far more than just a vision of the future. With their all-electric all-wheel drive for delivery vans and vehicles with 3.5-ton towing capacities, they are already offering 1:1 replacement solutions for conventional diesel vehicles. This down-to-earth, customer-oriented approach creates trust in the new technology and promotes acceptance among business customers.

Best practices and pilot projects: Learning for the future

In order to fully exploit the potential, practical tests and pilot projects are essential. There are already initiatives along important European transit corridors, such as the HoLa project in Germany, which is testing the feasibility of charging hubs. Specific pilot projects on the Brenner or Gotthard passes could provide valuable insights for heavy goods traffic.

Tried and tested approaches

• Regional charging hubs: Strategically placed fast-charging stations in valleys and at junctions shorten charging times and increase range reliability.
• Battery swap stations: In regions with high transportation volumes, battery exchange stations can be an alternative to long charging times.
• Smart route planning: Digital tools that calculate altitude profiles, weather conditions and energy consumption help with optimal route selection and energy management.
• Cooperation between industry players: Partnerships between energy suppliers, vehicle manufacturers and local authorities accelerate the expansion of the necessary infrastructure.

For lighter commercial vehicles, such as those relevant for tradespeople or municipal businesses in the valleys, planning charging hubs in narrower valleys is a practical solution to ensure range and facilitate operation. Such measures require the cooperation of logistics companies, energy suppliers and municipalities.

Funding programs for innovative drive technologies such as hydrogen, which are being developed specifically for demanding alpine use (wind industry), are also particularly promising.

Future prospects: The road to the electric summit

The technology for electric commercial vehicles is developing rapidly. Forecasts predict that ranges will increase and charging times will decrease. With batteries that enable a range of 800 km and an expanded MCS charging network, electric trucks could achieve a market share of 50% by 2035. Funding programs at EU level (e.g. Connecting Europe Facility) or national level can further accelerate the transformation.

Promising areas of development

• More powerful batteries: Higher energy density enables more range for the same weight.
• Faster charging technologies: Future systems can reduce charging times to under 20 minutes.
• Intelligent energy management systems: Optimized control of the energy flow depending on the route profile and weather conditions.
• Autonomous driving functions: Assistance systems that relieve the driver and optimize energy consumption.

For alpine regions, especially for lighter commercial vehicles that do not primarily drive long transits, but provide deliveries or services within a limited radius, the technology is often already mature. What counts here are individual solutions that are precisely tailored to the requirements and topography. Flux Mobility AG, with its clear focus on the everyday use of its vehicles, shows how this can work in practice: "The easier and more convenient the handling of our vehicles, the more value we generate in the daily work of our customers."

Conclusion: The mountains are going electric - with the right support

Electric commercial vehicles for use in the mountains face specific challenges, primarily relating to their range under load and in cold conditions, as well as the expansion of the charging infrastructure. However, the enormous advantages - noise protection, environmental protection and technological innovations - make them an extremely attractive option for the future of alpine transportation.

Especially for companies that use lighter commercial vehicles - tradesmen, municipal services, delivery services in tourism or passenger transportation - electric vehicles often already offer a sensible, sustainable alternative. Tailor-made solutions, a solid TCO analysis for the specific application and strategic planning of the charging infrastructure are crucial here.

The mountains will not be completely electric overnight, but the path is paved. With ongoing technological development, targeted promotion and bold pilot projects, electric commercial vehicles can climb the peaks and contribute to a clean, quiet future in the heart of Europe. It is the down-to-earth, customer-oriented Swiss companies in particular that are leading the way as pioneers and showing the way: The electrification of Alpine transportation is not a distant vision, but is already in full swing.