Integrating eTrucks into electricity markets by optimized charging

Kurzfassung

Recent developments in battery and charging technologies lead to a groundbreaking change in the truck market. Together with European regulation almost all trips are suitable to eTrucks – if sufficient charging stations are available (which is not yet the case). This research identified significant revenue potentials for German logistic operators of eTrucks if providing their charging flexibilities to wholesale electricity markets. Especially bidirectional charging might lead to an overcompensation of charging costs. Business cases of new aggregators might play an important role since an increase in the participating truck fleet decreases risk for commitments to the market. According to our scenario e-truck owners can earn an average of €10-70 per night by offering their charging capacity to electricity markets. The results are based on empirical data from German truck logistics patterns and consider various parameters such as charging capacity, desired state of charge and participation in different electricity markets. The study came to the following conclusions: 1. Bidirectional charging can lead to higher profits than unidirectional charging. 2. Participation in multiple electricity markets can increase profits. 3. Connecting eTrucks to electricity markets can enable new business models, especially if aggregators act as intermediaries between truck operators and electricity markets. Overall, the study shows that the integration of e-trucks into the electricity market can be a lucrative business for logistics companies, especially if they make optimum use of their charging capacities. This could lead to a rapid market penetration of eTrucks and thus make an important contribution to the transport transition.