Electric cars constantly have to overcome stubborn preconceptions regarding their low range or the poor condition of charging infrastructure. In actual fact, though, things have been improving when it comes to e-mobility – which is why Customer Field Service (CFS) has decided to upgrade its permanent service vehicles with an electric fleet.
Whether at the supermarket, by the side of the road or on business premises, charging stations for electric cars are now part and parcel of the urban environment. According to Germany’s network agency, there were over 160,000 charging points across the country in February 2025 – and that number is rising. Even so, charging an electric car still requires much more planning than traditional refuelling, and takes more time. Nevertheless, it is clear that the infrastructure for e-mobility is growing steadily. We are likewise setting an example for greater sustainability on our roads and demonstrating that electromobility can also be viable in the everyday working life of service engineers.
Multi-user testing
In the pilot stage, employees of CFS are testing whether electric cars offer enough flexibility for longer journeys too. After all, every department must play its part if the ambitious climate goals of Krones AG are to be met – and that of course includes Service. “Our staff do a lot of travelling, particularly worldwide. Although the infrastructure for e-mobility is already pretty well advanced in Germany, the situation in other countries could be more challenging. That’s why we started the pilot stage with 25 test drivers. We want to gain as much experience as possible and verify the practical suitability of these cars in the busy everyday life of a service engineer,” explains Birgit Hahn, Head of Central Field Service and Krones Academy. The feedback received from the staff will then form the basis for deciding the next step, i.e. whether and how electric cars will be used in the future.
Service engineer Mirko Schäfer is testing one of the electric cars and is excited about the experiment: “Being a pioneer for this innovative and sustainable mobility in Service chimes perfectly with me and my curiosity. I am delighted that I can now try out a ‘dedicated’ car for work and private use.” Birgit Hahn is similarly pleased: “We in CFS are proud to have been able to introduce the permanent service cars. I wish all our testers good and accident-free motoring!”
In the picture: Birgit Hahn, Stefan Liebl and Christine Raab hand the keys for one of the first cars to Mirko Schäfer (second from right).
