Freight mobility technology company Einride is entering the UK market with a three year deal with the Walkers crisps brand, part of Pepsico.
Einride has announced it is bringing its business model to the UK, with an initial three-year trial with Walkers running between Leicester and Coventry, though with further plans to develop across the UK. Einride has a unique business model offering what it calls an ”ecosystem of sustainable products” including its intelligent platform Einride Saga, electric and autonomous vehicles, charging infrastructure and connectivity network.
In a statement announcing the UK launch, the company says it will establish a regional freight mobility grid along the M1, M5 and M6 between the major metropolitan cities of London, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. The starting point will be the Midlands: “The UK has always been at the forefront of transport history. The efficient and innovative movement of goods has consistently been integral to the growth and prosperity of the UK, with the British pioneering both the railway system and canal networks,” said Robert Falck, Founder and CEO of Einride. “We’re honoured to be here, teaming up with local partners to further establish the UK as a transport pioneer and ultimately help the country meet its net zero goals.”
Einride’s first commercial partner in the UK, Pepsico, will use Einride electric trucks between its Walkers manufacturing sites in Leicester and Coventry.
“At PepsiCo, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our business, with a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040 as part of our PepsiCo Positive agenda,” said Archana Jagannathan, Head of Sustainability, PepsiCo UK. “Our partnership with Einride is a small yet important step towards that ambition, one that will help us drive meaningful progress in sustainable transport. With this initial deployment, we’re looking forward to better understanding the potential role electric trucks can play in our transport operations.”
Einride’s business model pivots around a freight system, operating on a grid that is planned, optimised and monitored through the Einride Saga platform. The grid concept simplifies freight management over long distances and removes inefficiencies that are otherwise typical for the industry, with smart handovers meaning goods don’t have to be delayed due to battery recharges or a change in driver. Einride takes overall responsibility for all logistical touchpoints, from intelligent software to reliable charging infrastructure and maintenance services, to provide a holistic and high quality service.
Speaking exclusively to Freight Carbon Zero, Robert Ziegler, Einride General Manager Europe explained “this is the first phase of our development with Pepsico and is a signal of our ambition for the UK market,” he told us. ”Our focus is on the middle mile logistics, which suits battery electric vehicle applications.” The initial trial with Walkers will see two battery electric trucks enter service and Einride will supply the vehicles, the charging infrastructure and all the elements in the operational platform.
Einride plans to establish a network of partners as it expands further into the UK and Ireland, connecting additional shippers and operators which will enable cost-efficient scaling of the grid together with increased emission savings. Once a critical mass of transportation volumes is established, the expansion of the grid will be further supported by algorithmic optimisation provided by Einride Saga and by introducing human-led autonomous technologies such as Einride’s heavy duty, cabless trucks which are monitored by a remote operator.
The UK launch follows Einride’s 2022 expansion into Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway.
