TCOvrachtwagen.org: Using TCO to accelerate the transition to ZE-Trucks
We help cities, policymakers, and logistics operators accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks. Through clear Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) insights, we make sustainable freight financially understandable and attractive. Our independent platform empowers users to make smarter decisions today and prepare for the regulatory and market changes of tomorrow.
The challenge
The transition to zero-emission trucks is complex due to financial uncertainty. Many logistics operators, especially SMEs, lack clear insights into the true lifetime costs of diesel, electric, or hydrogen trucks. Without transparent and comparable cost data, making sustainable investment decisions becomes risky. Rising policy pressures, such as Zero-Emission Zones and carbon pricing, amplify this urgency. We address this challenge by offering an accessible Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) tool that clarifies key cost drivers, helping operators and policymakers make informed, future-proof choices and accelerate the shift to cleaner freight transport.
The approach
We developed TCOvrachtwagen.org, an independent, open-access platform that empowers logistics operators, cities, and policymakers to assess the financial viability of zero-emission trucks (ZETs). Our approach starts with the user: through workshops and interviews with transport companies of all sizes, we gathered real-world insights and built detailed user stories. These stories guided the tool’s design, ensuring it is intuitive, relevant, and accessible — especially for SMEs, who often lack internal modeling capacity.
The platform compares the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of diesel, battery-electric, and hydrogen trucks based on real-world cost parameters and operational profiles. Users can select pre-filled profiles or input custom operational data, such as distance driven, charging infrastructure, and energy prices, to generate tailored cost calculations. The results are presented visually and can be easily exported for internal reporting or funding applications.
Technologically, the tool uses a fast, secure single-page architecture (SPA) to offer a seamless user experience. It integrates both current market data and future policy developments, such as the Emissions Trading System for transport (ETS-II) and road pricing. This ensures that users not only understand today’s business case but can also anticipate how future regulatory changes will affect their operations.
We emphasize co-creation and continuous improvement. Regular updates are informed by feedback from users and sector partners, including vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers, and financial institutions. This keeps the platform data-rich, credible, and aligned with evolving market and policy landscapes.
Impact
Accelerating sustainable trucking through clear financial insights.
The experience of a Rebel
