In this new series, members of our influential EV100 network of electric fleet pioneers share key insights from the first phase of their EV transition. As a founding member of EV100+, now part of EV100, Geopost is pioneering the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles. Here, the international parcel delivery company explains why advances in infrastructure and technology must be supported by policies to drive market shifts, and reduce costs.  

 

With trucks transporting 77% of inland freight in Europe – measured in tonne-kilometres – and linehaul representing nearly half of Geopost’s carbon footprint, transitioning to more sustainable alternatives is a top priority.

Globally, freight transport accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions (IEA, 2018), and in Europe, transport is the largest emissions sector, with trucks – 98.3% of which run on diesel (ACEA, 2019) –playing a significant role. Decarbonising this sector is essential to ensuring a more sustainable future. 

Policy support is crucial

From our vantage point spanning 50 countries, we see that the way forward lies in a diverse range of solutions, with electric truck technologies at the forefront. While these technologies and charging infrastructure are being developed and improved, it is essential that they are supported by the right policies if they are to scale. 

In Europe, policies like the CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), alongside measures like the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and Eurovignettes, are critical to driving market shifts and reducing costs.  

Geopost’s commitment

At Geopost, we’re not just talking about change – we’re acting on it. Our net zero target, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), sees us target 50% low-emission linehaul by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In the short term, we’re using biofuels like HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) as a bridge – already powering 16% of our linehaul distances in 2024 across operations like DPD UK, BRT, and Chronopost. Looking ahead, electric trucks are our future, with around 15 already in service and best practices emerging from Switzerland, where policy measures are supporting the shift to e-trucks.  

Power in numbers

As a founding member of EV100+, now EV100, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration between companies to signal demand and collectively build the ecosystem needed for the successful transition to sustainable trucking.

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This thought leadership piece was contributed by Geopost as part of the EV100 relaunch. EV100 is Climate Group’s global network of corporate leaders driving the transition to zero-emission road transport. 

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