Energy drivers: IRU at SOLUTRANS
Understanding the profession
IRU Intelligence Associate Director Marie-Anne Cervoni and Truckfly by Michelin Marketing Director Cl?ment Faure (part of IRU member Michelin[1]) presented the findings of the joint IRU-Truckfly survey on how European truck drivers view their profession[2]. The survey revealed a profession that inspires strong attachment. Drivers are proud of their work despite difficult conditions and limited recognition.
More than half report satisfaction with their job, although many hesitate to recommend it to others due to challenging working conditions. Women and young drivers stand out as being more satisfied than average, which suggests that the central issue is attracting new entrants rather than retaining existing ones. To draw more people into the profession, Marie-Anne Cervoni and Cl?ment Faure highlighted the need to increase the number of secure parking areas, improve conditions at delivery sites, and strengthen the profession's public image.
Practical solutions are required to make the job more attractive and accessible. In addition to governments, companies can play a key role, particularly in sharing and expanding good practices across the sector.
Collaborating to decarbonise
IRU Senior Research Manager Romain Mouton and IRU member TotalEnergies[3] New Energies Business Engineer Christophe Combre explored concrete pathways to decarbonise trucking[4].
Romain Mouton explained how efficiency measures can reduce emissions by up to 50%, easing the transition towards alternative fuels, covering the remaining reductions. While the adoption of alternative fuels is likely to increase vehicle costs, efficiency measures can offset much of this impact.
TotalEnergies presented its multi-energy approach[5], which is based on specific use cases and client needs. Christophe Combre also detailed TotalEnergies' holistic eTruck solution, which includes electricity from 100% renewable sources, customised recharging infrastructure, smart charging, proactive maintenance, support to obtain eligible subsidies, and Charge+ Truck, a charging card to simplify depot and on-route recharging. As SOLUTRANS demonstrated, the challenges ahead can only be met through informed dialogue and coordinated action.
IRU will continue working with its members and partners to build a greener, more resilient and more attractive road transport sector.
References
- ^ Michelin (www.iru.org)
- ^ European truck drivers view their profession (www.iru.org)
- ^ TotalEnergies (www.iru.org)
- ^ concrete pathways to decarbonise trucking (www.iru.org)
- ^ multi-energy approach (totalenergies.com)