What will trucks run on in a net-zero economy? Batteries? Hydrogen? Renewable fuels? We look forward to discussing decarbonisation pathways for Road transport with representatives of Shell, Vos Logistics, DAF Trucks and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

The speakers in the Road transport session, part of the upcoming ERC event DECARBONISATION PATHWAYS FOR TRANSPORT hosted by Shell and Deloitte at Louwman Museum on 14 November 2024 are:

• Sandra Geilings Cluster Manager BeNeFrUx Commercial Road Transport, Shell
• Frank Verhoeven, CEO, Vos Logistics
• Jurgen de Theije, Program Director Zero Emission, DAF
• Petrouschka Werther, Director Sustainable Mobility, Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management

“Decarbonisation solutions are already available today for every type of heavy-duty vehicle,” Sandra Geilings, Cluster Manager Benelux and France Commercial Road Transport at Shell shared during our preparatory meeting. “If transitioning to zero emissions isn’t yet feasible, there are other low-emission alternatives that can still make a significant impact now”.

As Cluster Manager for Benelux and France at Shell Commercial Road Transport, Sandra is responsible for the Heavy Duty Road Transport, holding a senior P&L leadership position. She leads a team of driven Sales, Business Development, and Marketing experts, with a central focus on decarbonising road transport.

“In 2050 electric trucks will be clean, safe and silent and most likely autonomous,” states Frank Verhoeven, CEO of Vos Logistics. “How to run a healthy business in the meantime, while reaching global sustainability targets on time? This requires a Delta Plan for the energy transition including enterprises, households and mobility.”

Frank became CEO in 2008 and co-owner in 2014. He has a passion to work in international teams, to improve performance and has a strong drive for innovation and sustainable solutions.  Before Vos Logistics, Frank held international management positions at Frans Maas (currently DSV), Lease Plan and rotogravure printer Biegelaar. Frank also serves as board member of Secure Logistics and MCA Brabant / Brabant Ports.

“The technology for zero-emissions trucks is there,” says Jurgen de Theije, Program Director Zero Emission, DAF Trucks. “But these trucks have no use without sufficient charging or refuelling stations or too few clients willing or able to make the investment.”

Jurgen became Program Director Zero Emission in April 2023 after several technical and commercial management roles.

If you have any burning questions about sustainable mobility policies, meet Petrouschka Werther, Director Sustainable Mobility at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. “Policy makers design policy instruments to incentivise zero emissions technology development and deployment, said Petrouschka during our preparatory meeting. “and we always welcome feedback from industry and the transport sectors on how policy can accelerate progress.”

Petrouschka is responsible for the transition towards zero emission vehicles and fuels to achieve climate, air quality and health goals and has a broad background at the Ministry.

Her experience also includes other modes of mobility. As deputy director for Civil Aviation, she was in charge of drawing up the White Paper on Aviation 2020 – 2050 and responsible for Sustainable Aviation, Connectivity and Drones.
Previously she has been responsible for various other fields at the ministry, specializing in setting up public-private partnerships, with the Netherlands as a living lab for innovations that can be rolled out internationally.

The Road transport session is scheduled from 10:30 to 11:05 hrs.

For the full programme, click Events at the top of the page.