Kimberly-Clark and Maersk's Bid for Freight Electrification

Electric vehicles (EVs) are beginning to feature more prominently in freight transport, with battery-electric trucks now running established routes in Europe.

As battery technology evolves and infrastructure improves, shippers are bringing EVs into their fleets to reduce emissions, lower fuel costs and improve air quality.

The move is no longer about testing isolated pilot routes but embedding commercial electric freight into day-to-day logistics operations.

For procurement and supply chain professionals, the shift represents a growing focus on resilience, energy security and regulatory compliance – particularly in the context of emissions disclosure and future decarbonisation obligations.

Electrification at work: Kimberly-Clark and Maersk

A practical example is unfolding in the Czech Republic, where consumer goods company Kimberly-Clark is working with logistics giant A.P. Moller Maersk to run a fully-electric freight route. The 36-kilometre corridor between Kimberly-Clark’s plant in Jaromer and Maersk’s warehouse in Dobřenice now operates battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) on a regular basis.

Chosen for its predictable freight volumes and frequency, the route allows the two companies to test operational viability, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build greater supply chain resilience.

James Hallam, Global Climate Leader – Logistics at Kimberly-Clark, explains that transitioning to electric was not immediately cost-effective.

"At first glance, moving from a diesel vehicle to an electric one didn’t look economically viable," he says. "The biggest learning from this project was that it required long-term planning."

Despite the initial cost concerns, both organisations continued with the plan. Instead of treating it as a one-off project, they adapted their transport model and aligned on a shared strategy.

"It has always been clear to us that this pilot was not a standalone project," adds Annamarie Gey Van Pittius, Key Client Director for Kimberly-Clark at A.P. Moller Maersk. "It’s the start of a longer-term strategy we have been building: a strategy to ensure cost efficiencies, lower GHG emissions and reduce waste."

The current set-up involves one electric truck completing six round trips per day. This operational routine is expected to avoid 130 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) emissions in 2025 compared to a diesel vehicle running the same lane.

The success of the route has informed decisions to invest in a second BEV and expand the charging infrastructure.

For Kimberly-Clark, this helps prepare for upcoming emissions regulations. For Maersk, the pilot enhances its logistics solutions for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) clients, showing what electric freight can deliver beyond environmental benefits.

Industry-wide movement

This collaboration mirrors other moves across the sector, where global supply chain leaders are scaling electric freight beyond trial runs.

Amazon is one such example, working with Daimler Benz to bring in trucks with a range of 500 kilometres. Chris Roe, Managing Director of Amazon Freight, describes this as "their biggest-ever order ever of battery electric vehicles for the European market".

Elsewhere, logistics firm Kuehne+Nagel is partnering with Milence to transition electric trucks into daily operations. Milence is developing Europe’s largest public charging network for electric HGVs, a key enabler for broader adoption. The partnership aims to prove that long-distance electric freight is possible, even with constraints around battery life, charging availability and cost.

Carlsberg Sweden is also expanding its electric freight capacity. The brewer is working with technology partner Einride to manage up to 40% of its transport needs in southern and western Sweden using electric trucks throughout 2025. This marks a major step in Carlsberg’s wider emissions strategy and reflects the growing role of EVs in heavy logistics.

These examples show how shippers, carriers and technology firms are moving in concert to scale electric road freight. The focus is now on long-term implementation, rather than isolated innovation. For procurement professionals, this evolution raises important decisions around supplier partnerships, capital investment and readiness for emissions reporting.

Sustainable supply chains under the microscope

Taking place in London on 4-5 March 2026, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit will feature numerous discussions covering sustainability in logistics:

• The Scope 3 Forum | 4 March | 10.30-11.15am | Procurement & Supply Chain Stage
• The Global Trade & Logistics Forum | 4 March | 2.20-3pm | Procurement & Supply Chain Stage
• Sustainable Supply Chains | 5 March | 2.20-3pm | Procurement & Supply Chain Stage

What's more, our US audience can enjoy related sessions at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, which will be staged in Chicago on 21-22 April 2026:

• Sustainable Supply Chains | 21 April | 12.15-1pm CDT | Supply Chain Stage
• The Global Trade & Logistics Forum | 21 April | 2.15-3pm CDT | Supply Chain Stage

To secure your tickets to both events, click here.