Fogtmann solar pilot cuts fuel and strengthens sustainability leadership 

A four-month pilot using Green Energy ‘s solar systems demonstrated more than 1,000 litres of diesel saved per truck per year, an annual CO2 reduction of 2.7t per truck and a 10-month payback period. Fogtmann is now exploring how solar can support its 70-vehicle fleet. 

Pushing ahead with practical and sustainable solutions  

Fogtmann Group, part of Blue Logistics, has been a trusted name in Danish logistics since 1928. Led by CEO Klaus Fogtmann, the company continues to invest in modern operations, customer service and responsible logistics. As sustainability expectations increase among national retail customers, Fogtmann has intensified its focus on measurable climate action and reduced environmental impact. 

To support its 2025 goal of lowering idling and cutting unnecessary fuel waste, Fogtmann partnered with Green Energy to test roof-mounted solar systems on selected trucks. The aim was clear: improve energy efficiency, support sustainability targets and strengthen operational performance. 

Challenge  

Fogtmann delivers to major retailers nationwide. Many of its customers expect clear progress on sustainability, transparent reporting and practical steps to reduce emissions. At the same time, Fogtmann has a high-utilisation fleet operating in demanding distribution environments, where electrical loads are significant and keeping vehicles reliable is essential. 

With an average idling profile of around 19 percent, unnecessary fuel burn remains an important focus area. Fogtmann wanted a solution that could reduce diesel consumption, support its longer-term ambition to reduce idling, and help meet customer sustainability expectations — without disrupting daily operations. 

Solution 

Fogtmann equipped selected vehicles with Green Energy’s advanced 110 Wp solar systems. These lightweight panels provide continuous charging to the battery, easing the load on the alternator and helping power auxiliary systems throughout the day. Drivers also noted the benefit of having more stable battery power available when the engine was off — a positive operational observation. 

Green Energy applied advanced telematics-based analytics to measure the fuel savings with 95 percent statistical confidence. This methodology compared each vehicle’s fuel performance over time, isolating the impact of solar with precision and ensuring robust, verifiable results. 

Results 

The pilot delivered strong evidence of the value of solar in everyday distribution operations:  

• CO₂ reduction 
  2.7 tonnes of CO₂ saved per vehicle per year, directly resulting from lower diesel consumption. 
  
• 490 litres of diesel saved per truck during the 4-month pilot period 
  (3 percent reduction or 0.9 l/100 km over 168,000 km with 4 vehicles) 
  
• Projected annual saving of 1,019 litres per truck
  Equivalent to ca. DKK 10,000 per vehicle per year, based on DKK 9.95 per litre. 
  
• Fast financial return 
  Payback in under 12 months. Even at the lowest confidence range, payback remains around 15 months. 
  
• Operational observations 
  Drivers reported more stable auxiliary power and improved battery reliability, particularly when the engine was off — supporting Fogtmann’s broader interest in reducing unnecessary idling, though idling reductions were not measured in this pilot. 

Klaus Fogtmann sees the results as a natural step in the company’s long-term sustainability strategy: 

“For us, solar is an obvious business decision. When a solution delivers clear fuel savings and a payback in under a year, you act. Our customers expect us to lead on sustainability, and with solar we can deliver measurable gains while strengthening the bottom line.” 
 
— Klaus Fogtmann, CEO, Fogtmann Group 

Based on the pilot outcome, Fogtmann now intends to scale solar to the rest of its 70-vehicle fleet. 

Fact Box 

–

Read more about Fogtmann here

To see what solar can do for your fleet, contact us today