The shift toward electrified fleets in logistics is placing greater demands on logistics real estate.
In addition to building and operational efficiency, energy generation, battery storage, and charging infrastructure are coming into focus as integrated system components.
Charging infrastructure for electric trucks as a strategic location factor
The electrification of road freight transport is fundamentally changing the requirements for logistics locations. Policy frameworks, such as the extended toll exemption for battery-electric trucks through 2031, increase the economic viability of fleet conversion. At the same time, the market share of rechargeable commercial vehicles is growing, while technical advances are enabling ranges that allow for practical use in regional and long-haul transport.
The bottleneck remains the charging infrastructure. Public networks are being expanded but will not be available nationwide in the medium term. This brings logistics real estate into focus as primary charging and energy hubs. During loading and unloading processes as well as during downtime, the depot becomes the central charging location.
Charging points are increasingly being integrated directly into loading docks or parking spaces. Charging at loading docks is facilitated by overhead rail systems that provide safe and space-saving routing for charging cables. Collaborative models, in which service partners share the infrastructure, increase utilization and improve cost-effectiveness.
Strengthening grid stability with battery storage
Battery storage enables the use of renewable electricity during nighttime hours and buffers the energy supply during peak loads. This allows multiple electric trucks to be powered simultaneously. Excess energy is fed back into the grid, or loads are shifted as an alternative.
Battery storage systems are experiencing a boom in Germany. Regions with existing high-capacity substations and grid connections are particularly attractive.
Moving beyond basic battery storage—microgrids
Own charging infrastructure requires investment and sufficient grid capacity, but offers long-term benefits. In combination with photovoltaic systems and battery storage, energy costs can be reduced, load profiles managed, and ESG goals supported. Local energy systems, known as microgrids, increase self-sufficiency and enable the flexible use of self-generated energy for building and fleet operations.
A successful example of microgrids is a logistics facility spanning approximately 23,000 square meters developed by Prologis. It operates largely independently. The system combines a rooftop solar array with battery storage, a smart energy management system, and emergency generators.
In addition, central charging hubs in industrial parks are gaining importance. They offer companies without their own infrastructure a scalable charging solution. The future scenario is the “municipal energy park”—in the long term, regional energy networks can integrate logistics properties as decentralized energy producers and increase supply security.
As a result, logistics properties are evolving from mere transshipment hubs into integral components of regional energy and mobility infrastructures—with direct implications for location quality and competitiveness.
