Integration of electric freight logistics and energy communities: a system - level operating model

Abstract

The electrification of road freight transport is a priority objective of European decarbonisation policy; however, its large-scale implementation remains constrained by charging infrastructure availability, electricity grid capacity limits, and the specific energy demand profiles of freight transport operations. From a logistics perspective, this transition requires coordinated management of material, information, and energy flows within increasingly complex transport systems. The aim of this research is to examine how electric freight vehicles can be integrated into future logistics networks through operating models based on energy community principles. The study is grounded in a systematic review of relevant literature published between 2020 and 2025, focusing on technological trends, electric road freight vehicles, and energy supply configurations. The analysis indicates that existing research predominantly addresses route optimisation, infrastructure development, and capacity management, while system-level cooperation between energy communities and electric freight transport remains underexplored. The study proposes a conceptual model based on replaceable high-capacity energy storage units and decentralised charging infrastructure, enabling improved coordination between transport flows and energy flows. The framework supports more efficient utilisation of renewable energy and enhanced economic and network performance and is positioned relative to prevailing logistics and operational paradigms.