ATC Computer Transport & Logistics (ATC), an Irish company providing highly specialised transport, logistics, and technical services to hyperscale data centre operators, high-tech freight forwarders, and original equipment manufacturers worldwide, has successfully completed its second long-haul battery electric truck trial, this time in collaboration with Windrose Technology.
Windrose is an innovative electric truck manufacturer founded in 2022 and backed by global industrial partners. The company is focused on delivering high-performance, zero-emission long-haul transportation solutions and is currently expanding across Europe.
Dual fast-charging ports
For this trial with ATC, Windrose deployed its latest 6x4 heavy-duty electric truck, specifically developed for the European market. The vehicle features four independent motors, a peak power output of 1,400hp, a 730 kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack, and dual fast-charging ports compatible with both Combined Charging System 2 (CCS2) and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standards.
In previous real-life demonstrations, Windrose has successfully operated its trucks in double trailer configurations of up to 64 tonnes, achieving 520km of continuous motorway range on a single charge – setting a new benchmark for electric freight under high payload.
This collaboration with ATC represents a further step in validating that battery-electric trucks can match diesel in both uptime and productivity on long-haul routes – enabling a new standard for zero-emission logistics across Europe.
The journey, which is a round trip starting at the Milence fast charging hub at the TruckStop in Venlo, Netherlands, to Budapest, Hungary, and back, will cover about 2,600km in total. This is a typical route operated by ATC for one of their global hyperscale clients, which the company aims to fully electrify.
This trial, with support from the Fleet Electrification Coalition from the Smart Freight Centre, forms part of a broader series of real-world evaluations of Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) in different configurations and across multiple OEM platforms.
The objective is to collect robust performance data on energy consumption, emissions, and total cost of ownership (TCO) which are all key inputs in ATC’s comprehensive life-cycle analysis framework.
The current trial follows ATC’s first successful run using one of its own Volvo FH Electric tractor units, paired with a TrailerDynamics e-axle trailer. Further long-range battery-electric trials are already scheduled for the Venlo to Budapest and other routes, in collaboration with leading truck OEMs.
Rainer Hoerbst, head of green logistics at ATC, said: “At ATC, our mission is clear – we want to prove that battery electric vehicles will outperform diesel on long-haul routes across the continent in every way. This is not a lab test, these are real routes, with real loads, serving some of the most demanding logistics requirements globally.
Key global hyperscale clients in the data centre industry
"We’re actively working to electrify our routes for key global hyperscale clients in the data centre industry. However, a major challenge is the availability of suitable fast-charging infrastructure, particularly around Vienna and Budapest. This is something we’re keen to tackle alongside stakeholders and OEMs across the sector and we’re looking forward to seeing the results from this trial and future test routes.”
In 2024, ATC invested €22.5m over five years to support its company-wide ‘Driving Green Strategy,’ which focuses on the transition to battery-electric vehicles and achieving net zero emissions by 2030. A key part of this strategy is the ongoing conversion of ATC’s HGV fleet from traditional combustion engines to battery-electric power.
The company has also rapidly scaled up its green initiatives across Ireland and Europe, reinforcing its commitment to zero tailpipe emissions and net zero company-wide operations by 2030.
As part of this, ATC recently added nine battery-electric Volvo HGVs to its fleet. The fleet was expanded earlier in the year with ten Volkswagen ID Buzz electric vans, now operating across Ireland and Europe.