A new per-kilometre subscription model for electric lorries has launched in Europe and the UK, offering fleet operators an all-in-one package that includes vehicles, charging infrastructure, and renewable electricity, with a total cost of ownership claimed to be lower than diesel.

European electrification start-up ZE Ports and Danish EV charging platform Spirii have partnered to deliver the service, which bundles electric trucks, depot chargers, and certified green electricity under a fixed monthly fee based on kilometres driven. The offer is available across continental Europe, including the UK, with expansion to the US planned.

Designed to eliminate upfront capital costs and deployment complexity, the model allows fleet operators to electrify without owning the vehicles or infrastructure. ZE Ports provides the lorries and charging equipment, while Spirii installs and manages the charging infrastructure, including maintenance and smart energy optimisation.

Clients pay a fixed per-kilometre fee that covers electricity, maintenance, insurance, carbon credits, and battery recycling.

ZE Ports quotes the current price at approximately €0.90 per kilometre for electric trucks and €1.27 per kilometre for electric buses, including all core services and lifecycle support.

One unnamed logistics company operating under a confidentiality agreement is running a 35-vehicle e-HGV fleet in the automotive sector, with vehicles operating 11 hours per day. ZE Ports estimates this setup could deliver €11.7m in cost savings compared to diesel, or approximately €336,000 per vehicle.

“We invest in e-trucks or e-buses, infrastructure, and renewable energy, and offer it all for a fixed monthly fee,” said Mauricio Sardi, chief executive and founder of ZE Ports. “By taking on the complexity and upfront costs, we enable our clients to focus on their core operations while we handle everything related to the electrification.”

Fleet operators can select vehicles from any truck manufacturer, though ZE Ports prefers models using LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries for their longer lifespan. Manufacturers with strong after-sales support are prioritised to ensure operational reliability.

Charging infrastructure is installed at client-specified locations, including depots, motorway hubs, or customer premises, and is managed via Spirii’s charge point platform. The electricity supplied is certified green and sourced from renewable providers, with pricing negotiated to lower overall energy costs.

Typical contract durations range from 8 to 12 years for lorries and up to 15 years for electric buses. The model targets high-utilisation fleets to maximise cost-effectiveness and emissions reductions. ZE Ports also oversees battery management throughout the contract and ensures that batteries are repurposed or recycled at the end of life.

While UK customer names have not yet been disclosed, ZE Ports confirmed it is working with UK-based partners and can deploy the model on either side of the Channel.

With a keen focus on European and international freight, Zsofia Polos is a journalist specialising in road transport. She has a particular interest in the industry's transition to zero-emission operations, covering new technologies, policy changes, and the challenges hauliers face on the path to decarbonisation.View full Profile

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