CEVA Logistics has been executing a groundbreaking pilot program to deliver BMW and MINI vehicles using an all-electric car carrier in the Paris region. This initiative takes place from CEVA’s dedicated finished vehicle logistics platform in Marly-La-Ville and marks a significant step toward sustainable logistics practices in the automotive industry.The all-electric car transporter represents one of the first of its kind to be utilized in Europe and is a notable addition to CEVA Logistics’ fleet. This innovative truck features a recharging system that powers its batteries between deliveries or overnight at the Marly-La-Ville site, which is equipped with a dedicated recharging station.

The pilot program aims to evaluate the vehicle’s performance and range in urban and suburban settings, covering a daily route of 270 kilometers, resulting in a projected total of 30,000 kilometers over the duration of the trial. This initiative will continue until the end of the first quarter of 2025, at which point a thorough assessment will be conducted to gauge its effectiveness based on telematics data and analysis collected during the pilot phase. The outcomes will play a crucial role in determining the future of electric vehicle distribution for BMW Group France in collaboration with CEVA.

Vincent Salimon, CEO of BMW Group France, emphasized the importance of sustainability, stating, “Reducing the carbon impact of our activities is essential to our CSR strategy in France, particularly for the distribution of our new vehicles. That’s why we’re proud to partner with CEVA Logistics to accelerate the decarbonization of our logistics and remain at the forefront of integrating Sustainable Development into our operations.”

BMW Group has been committed to sustainability and resource efficiency for years, with an ambition to reduce CO2 emissions from its value chain by 40% per vehicle by 2030, relative to 2019 levels, while also utilizing 50% recycled materials in production. The company projects that electric vehicle sales will reach 50% of total global sales by 2030, with even higher percentages in Europe. From January to September 2024, electric vehicles accounted for 24% of BMW’s sales in France, which increases to 50% when including plug-in hybrid models.

The partnership between CEVA Logistics and BMW Group France began in 2018 and has recently been extended for an additional two years, reflecting BMW Group France’s confidence in CEVA’s ability to provide efficient logistics for new vehicles across its partner network. CEVA’s platforms in Marly-La-Ville, Marckolsheim, and Le Havre are responsible for managing approximately 90,000 vehicles annually.

Emmanuel Cheremetinski, global finished vehicle logistics leader at CEVA Logistics, expressed pride in the successful partnership, stating, “We’re particularly proud of the partnership we’ve built with BMW Group France over the past six years. Year after year, we have demonstrated our ability to meet the most demanding logistics requirements of a leading car manufacturer. This electric car transporter pilot bears witness to our shared determination to work with our customers to implement more sustainable logistics solutions.”

This electric vehicle pilot project aligns with CEVA Logistics’ strategy to invest in low-emission vehicles and deliver sustainable transport solutions to clients. Currently, CEVA operates over 450 electric trucks in its European transport network and aims to expand this number to 1,450 low-carbon vehicles by the end of 2025, which would constitute two-thirds of its fleet.