With deep insight into European road operations, Christian Drenthen shares why scalable solar-on-vehicle technology is emerging as a practical way for fleet operators to achieve meaningful fuel savings, strengthen margins and reduce emissions with minimal disruption.
European road transport is entering one of its most challenging decades yet. Operators are under pressure from all sides: fuel prices, driver shortages, margin squeeze, and rising decarbonisation demands are some of the challenges faced. Few people understand these realities better than Christian Drenthen, former Board Member and Executive Vice President Land Transport at DB Schenker and now Board Member at Green Energy Group.
“Balancing continued investment in decarbonisation with the need for cost reduction will be high on every fleet’s agenda. What’s needed are solutions that deliver on both, and Green Energy’s products provide the perfect bridge for walking this fine line.”
Growing cost pressure on road transport
Having managed some of Europe’s largest fleets, Drenthen has seen how external shocks and tightening regulations are reshaping logistics.
He points out that electrification and alternative fuels such as HVO and biofuels all play important roles but are still limited by cost, infrastructure or availability. “They contribute to emissions reduction, but often at a price. The sector needs large-scale, fast-to-deploy solutions that reduce both CO₂ and operating cost now – not in a decade’s time.”
“The European road transport industry operates at average margins hovering around 3–4%. Green Energy’s systems can improve those margins by up to 10–15%, with payback in about a year. That moves the needle in a significant and compelling way.” Drenthen notes.
A practical solution with proven performance
That realism is what drew Drenthen to Green Energy. He sees solar-on-vehicle systems as one of the few solutions that make immediate operational and financial sense with fast scalability potential.
“Their pilot results with large fleet operators convinced me,” he explains. “This is proven technology that delivers measurable results in daily operations. For those looking to drive energy efficiency, putting solar panels on trucks and trailers is a quick win.”
He highlights the importance of data-backed validation through the company’s Within Vehicle Analysis (WiVA) methodology.
“It supports the cost thesis through external verification of performance, and it makes adoption faster because operators can see results on their own vehicles.”
A scalable bridge technology
Aside from offering direct efficiency benefits, Drenthen believes that solar acts as a bridging technology for fleets working towards full decarbonisation. By integrating easily with existing diesel, HVO or biofuel systems, it helps operators cut energy use and emissions immediately while the infrastructure and cost viability for a future zero-emission landscape is being prepared.
“Solar complements, rather than competes with, other energy solutions,” adds Drenthen. “It’s an enabling technology that strengthens the broader transition.”
Scalability is, Drenthen emphasises, critical to success. And that’s where collaboration between industry partners is essential.
“To achieve future industry targets at the required pace, you need all partners – solution providers, OEMs and logistics operators – to drive forward decarbonisation initiatives. Joint innovation scales faster than individual efforts and this is what the industry needs to do right now.”
Why fleets should act now
That sense of urgency underpins Drenthen’s message to fleet operators. “We’re moving from exploring ideas to deploying what actually works,” he says. “Solar-on-vehicle systems have moved beyond pilots. They’re proven, fast to implement and deliver measurable benefits from day one.”
His advice to fleet operators is clear:
“Don’t wait. The economics make sense, and the technology is available. Green Energy’s products bring reliability improvements, cost savings and a clear environmental gain – a rare combination in this industry.”
Interested in what solar could mean for your fleet?
Learn how our Pilot Programme works
Or contact our team directly at: sales@greenenergy.pro
About Green Energy Group
At Green Energy, we believe sustainability should be practical, measurable, and accessible. Our flexible, ultra-thin CIGS solar panels can be mounted directly on vehicle roofs, work even in partial shade, and are highly resistant to shock and vibration – making them perfect for the demanding conditions of the transport sector.
With our in-house developed Fleet Tracker system, companies can also document their energy production, CO₂ savings, and fuel reductions – ready for ESG reporting.
Read more about how our solution work here: greenenergy.pro/how-it-works
Read more about our appearance in Børsen: borsen.dk
