Electric truck scheduling works reliably when route length, energy consumption, charging windows, and battery reserves are planned together. Depending on the model, modern electric tractor-trailers can travel several hundred kilometers on a single battery charge, making even longer trips possible with proper planning.

For dispatchers, the shift to electric vehicles primarily means a change in planning processes. In addition to delivery dates, routes, and vehicle availability, energy management is becoming an additional factor in planning.

What distinguishes electric truck scheduling from traditional route planning?
With a diesel truck, the required range can usually be restored with a quick refueling stop. With an electric truck, charging capacity, state of charge, and available downtime must be taken into account to a greater extent.

Effective scheduling, therefore, takes into account not only the route but also the entire transportation process. Scheduling thus involves three key questions:

1. Which routes can the vehicle reliably complete with the available energy?
2. Where and when can you recharge the energy you need?
3. How can driving, loading, and idle times be combined as efficiently as possible?

Determine the route's actual energy requirements
The foundation of any electric truck route planning is a realistic calculation of energy consumption and range.

In addition to the distance traveled, particular attention should be paid to topography, load, weather conditions, and vehicle configuration. Another important factor is the battery’s state of charge, often referred to as SoC.

When planning, it’s not just a matter of how much energy is available at the start of the route. It’s also crucial to consider the remaining battery reserve the vehicle will need to reach its destination or the next charging point. That’s why sufficient safety reserves should be factored in during route planning.

Integrate Charging Times Sensibly into Routes
Electric trucks can be used particularly efficiently when charging can be integrated into existing downtime. This includes, for example, longer stays at the company’s location or suitable waiting times during loading and unloading. Mandatory driving time breaks can also serve as charging windows.

In European road freight transport, a break of at least 45 minutes is generally required after no more than 4.5 hours of driving time. Under certain conditions, this break may be split into 15- and 30-minute intervals.

It is important to note that a break in driving time is considered as such only if the legal requirements are met and the driver does not perform any other work during that time. Combining charging with breaks can reduce the time required, but it requires suitable charging stations and coordinated planning.

Choosing the Right Charging Infrastructure
Not every charging station is suitable for a heavy-duty electric truck. When planning, the following questions, among others, must be answered:

• Is the charging station accessible to trucks and semi-trucks?
• What charging power does the vehicle support?
• How much power can the station actually provide?
• Will charging stations be available during the scheduled time window?
• Is there an alternative charging option in case of a power outage or if the charging station is in use?

For heavy-duty electric trucks, DC fast charging via CCS is a particularly viable option, as is the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for vehicles and charging stations equipped to support it. The actual charging power that can be achieved is limited by the vehicle, the battery, and the infrastructure. It is therefore not possible to provide a reliable estimate of a standard charging time for all electric trucks.