Tevex is "ePTO" ready!

"Alternative drivelines are no longer just the future, they are already the present. We are proud to be at the centre of this exciting and promising development," says Dirk Mutlak, Managing Director of Tevex Logistics GmbH, with regard to the electrification of the company's own fleet. Tevex Logistics, a Premium Food Group company with around 600 employees and its headquarters in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Westphalia, operates as an international logistics service provider with impressive fleet data. It operates around 1,250 refrigerated trailers, 60 refrigerated trailers and 75 container chassis, plus approximately 300 towing units, including several battery-electric tractor units of various brands.

"Almost all of our refrigerated trailers come from Schmitz Cargobull," says Mutlak. "We have a decades-long partnership, and we have the good feeling that the manufacturer understands our business perfectly. We know each other, we still shake hands and the mentality simply fits." It is clear that Schmitz Cargobull is also on board with the increasing electrification. For example, with the fully electric S.KOe COOL semi-trailer (with generator axle, high-voltage battery and S.CUe electric refrigeration unit) and the S.KO COOL with new S.CU d80 ePTOready refrigeration unit - both recently put into service at the end of April 2025.

The highlight of the S.CU d80 ePTOready is that the refrigeration unit can run emission-free and very quietly via an interface to the electric power take-off of an electric tractor unit. However, the unit still has a diesel generator set that automatically takes over the cooling if the electrical power supply fails. In practice, this means maximum flexibility, be it when the batteries are exhausted, during breaks or even during conventional use with a diesel tractor unit.

"We will test the two concepts, both the fully electric refrigerated train and the power take-off variant, throughout all seasons," explains Mutlak. "In the first few weeks, in consistently pleasant spring weather, we have not noticed any significant reduction in range with the ePTOready in combination with various electric tractor units. If this remains the case, it would make a huge difference in the future with over 1,200 refrigerators whether the units run on diesel or you simply plug a cable into the electric tractor unit without any significant loss of range."

Ultimately, Mutlak always keeps an eye on the total cost of ownership, and after a full year of use, the picture should become clearer. "Both coolers run reliably and there's no question that the 'dynamo axle' and batteries are great pieces of technology, especially on mountainous routes. However, the hybrid solution with the ePTOready unit may prove to be much more sensible, especially as you have lower investment costs and practically no reduction in payload. We will analyse this in detail, also with the help of Schmitz Cargobull's telematics." The early feedback from drivers has been positive. "We generally pay attention to attractive driver workstations, and our drivers are delighted - plug in the power cable and you're done, it's really self-explanatory."

Tevex Logistics already has experience as an electric pioneer and tester - the company was already involved as a project partner of Daimler Truck in the run-up to the eActros 300, which was launched in 2021 - with the only fully electric refrigerated truck in testing at the time. The company also has a great deal of expertise in refrigeration technology. "We have refrigeration units of all generations from Schmitz Cargobull in use. Insulation, quiet running and consumption have always been impressive."

Tevex Logistics has built up its own infrastructure for the electric refrigerated trucks, in some cases with up to ten 400 kW fast charging points at the group's larger plants. Two charging stations are also provided at smaller sites, and independently of this, there are always sufficient parking spaces with three-phase connections for the refrigeration units. "Wherever possible, we buy green electricity. For example, last year we secured 50 million kWh from a hydroelectric power plant in Bavaria."

The problem of having to search for and access public charging points during quiet periods does not usually arise. Tevex Logistics uses the electric refrigerated trains either for local transport or for scheduled services between different plants, sometimes in several shifts: eight hours of driving, two hours of charging, another eight hours with the next driver and so on. This is another reason why Tevex Logistics has already achieved a seven-figure mileage with its first electric tractor units and has developed a high level of expertise in e-logistics. "When it comes to 'green transport', we are valued as a competent partner and have also been able to win new customers with our electric refrigerated trains. It's not just us who attach great importance to alternative drives and reduced CO2 emissions, but also our customers from a wide range of industries."

The Tevex approach to green logistics also includes combined transport, i.e. road/inland waterway and road/rail. "Unfortunately, there is no further weight bonus with electric tractor units," regrets Mutlak. "On the road, 42 tonnes are allowed instead of 40 tonnes, but in combined transport it remains at the usual 44 tonnes." Either way, the coolers are used very intensively at Tevex Logistics. Two- and three-shift operation with several loadings and unloadings a day, in many cases pipe conveyors for product hangers, which require robust superstructures and reliable refrigeration units.

"The trailers pass through many hands and have to withstand a lot," explains Mutlak. "We have had very good experiences with the mix of insulation, robustness and, last but not least, resale value that Schmitz Cargobull's coolers offer us." In this overall assessment, the S.KOe COOL and the S.KO COOL with the S.CU d80 ePTOready now have to show what they are made of – that’s the acid test.

Caption: From left to right: Alexander Thoma, Head of Business Unit Refrigeration Units Schmitz Cargobull, Volker Flatau, Head of Product Line Cool Freight Schmitz Cargobull, Frank Reppenhagen, Director Region West Europe Schmitz Cargobull, Dirk Mutlak, Managing Director Tevex Logistics, Andreas Schmitz, Chairman of the Board Schmitz Cargobull, Rene Lemke, Area Sales Manager Bielefeld Schmitz Cargobull, Sven Masuhr, Head of Carrier Management Tevex Logistics, Jonathan Steckel, Head of Product Management Schmitz Cargobull