Seedlabs

Freight-Net Emission Calculator

A B2B SaaS tool for logistics companies to calculate and optimize the carbon footprint of hybrid electric-overhead (eHighway) freight routes. The tool helps operators balance infrastructure costs with GHG reductions to determine the most efficient electrification strategy.

EngineeringVehicle emissions and performance
Vehicle Emissions and PerformanceLogistics companies and government transport agencies using the tool to identify which specific highway segments should be electrified to achieve the highest aggregate GHG reduction per euro of infrastructure spend.
Explainer video — the idea and its research foundation. Scripted and voiced by GLM and Piper · 18 Sept 2026.

Concept

A route-planning and emissions-accounting tool specifically for heavy-duty road freight. The tool allows logistics managers to input their routes and calculate the exact GHG savings achieved by utilizing eHighway (overhead contact line) segments. It uses a scaling calculator to determine the 'electrified stretch percentage' required to meet specific corporate net-zero targets.

Why now

Recent research [3] indicates that even minimal electrification (5% of a trip) can reduce direct GHG emissions by 14-17%, creating a strong commercial incentive for quantification tools. Furthermore, the introduction of bi-level multi-objective network electrification design (BM-NED) models [1] demonstrates that the adoption of eHighways is not just a technical challenge but a network design problem. This evidence suggests that the tool must move beyond simple calculation to include a strategic layer that considers the trade-offs between infrastructure investment, total travel costs, and environmental impact.

Strategic Constraints

While the environmental benefits are clear, the implementation of eHighways requires complex collaboration between public and private stakeholders [1]. Consequently, the tool's scope is adapted to serve as a decision-support system for both fleet operators (optimizing route efficiency) and infrastructure planners (identifying high-impact arcs for electrification to maximize traffic density of hybrid trucks).

Written by Gemma 4 · 18 Sept 2026 · revised 1× with new research (latest 18 Sept 2026, Gemma 4)

AI assessment

Backed by 2 papers76

A niche decision-support tool for a high-friction infrastructure transition, offering strong theoretical value but facing significant adoption hurdles due to its dependence on public-sector infrastructure rollout.

Evidence strength
5/5
The idea is directly grounded in two specific papers: one providing the mathematical model for network design (BM-NED) and another providing empirical GHG reduction data from 500k km of field tests.
Market pull
3/5
While DHL and Maersk have net-zero goals, the 'buyer' is split between private fleets and government agencies, creating a complex sales cycle dependent on public infrastructure spend.
Novelty & moat
3/5
The core value is the application of the BM-NED model to a SaaS tool; however, the moat is thin as it relies on public data and existing academic models.
Feasibility
4/5
Building a calculator and optimization engine based on the provided research models is technically straightforward for a small team.
Wedge clarity
4/5
The 'electrified stretch percentage' calculator provides a sharp, quantifiable entry point for fleet managers to justify hybrid truck investments.
Simplicity / focus
4/5
The product is focused on a single specific technology (eHighways) rather than a generic logistics platform, though it slightly blurs the line between a fleet tool and a government planning tool.

Scored by Gemma 4 · 18 Sept 2026. Rated against a fixed rubric (evidence, market, novelty, feasibility, wedge, simplicity). A prior estimate to compare ideas before real-world signal arrives.

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Business analysis

The PESTEL analysis reveals a strong alignment between regulatory mandates and technological feasibility, though the idea faces significant hurdles in high infrastructure costs and complex multi-stakeholder legal frameworks. The tool's success depends on its ability to bridge the gap between public infrastructure investment and private fleet operational efficiency.

Political2

Economic2

Social2

Technological2

Environmental2

Legal2

The viability of eHighways is heavily dependent on government legislation, environmental targets, and public-private infrastructure policy. · Generated 2026-09-18 by Gemma 4AI-generatedFull PESTEL Analysis →

Who benefits

  • DHLcompany

    Needs precise tools to track and report GHG reductions in their road freight operations to meet sustainability goals.

  • DB Cargocompany

    As a major European rail/road operator, they can use this to justify investments in eHighway infrastructure.

  • Maerskcompany

    Can optimize the 'last-mile' and regional haul carbon footprint using these calculations for their land-side logistics.

Research it builds on

  1. Towards the electrification of freight transport: A network design model for assessing the adoption of eHighways
    Aleksandra Colovic, Mario Marinelli, Michele Ottomanelli · 2024 · 11 citations
    All ideas from this paper →
  2. Impact of an eHighway on the directly emitted greenhouse gases by road freight transport
    Ferdinand Schöpp, Özgür Öztürk, Jürgen Wilke et al. · 2024 · 5 citations
    All ideas from this paper →
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