“We Work at the Speed of Innovation – Bureaucracy Unfortunately Doesn’t”
Interview with Michael W. Nimtsch, CEO & Managing Director of Trailer Dynamics GmbH
The logistics industry is under pressure: rising costs, CO2 targets, and a growing shortage of drivers. Yet Michael W. Nimtsch firmly believes in a pragmatic path forward. With Trailer Dynamics, his team is developing electric trailers designed to make existing truck fleets significantly more efficient. In this interview, he talks about pioneering spirit, German regulation, and why innovation often fails less because of technology and more because of bureaucracy.
European Business: Mr. Nimtsch, Trailer Dynamics is considered a pioneer in the field of electrified trailers. How did the story begin?
Michael W. Nimtsch: The original idea came from my co-founder Abdullah Jaber, who is the technical brain behind the company. I myself come more from the commercial side. I spent many years as a board member of international companies before becoming an investor in start-ups. In 2018, we started in Aachen with just three employees. Back then, it was really more of a vision than a company, operating out of a tiny one-room office.
European Business: Today, you employ 85 people and already have vehicles operating on the road. What was the turning point?
Michael W. Nimtsch: The decisive moment came when we realized that the technology worked, but the development required substantial financial resources. That’s why we started looking early for a strategic investor and found exactly the right partner in Krone. That was a major milestone for us. After that, things progressed quickly: digital twins, the first functional models, test tracks, prototypes and finally homologation in 2 year. The e-trailer simply didn’t exist from a regulatory perspective. We first had to create a legal framework for it.
European Business: What exactly makes the e-trailer so special?
Michael W. Nimtsch: Put simply, we moved the electric drivetrain into the trailer itself. Traditionally, a trailer was basically just a steel structure being pulled along. Our system adds a battery, an electrified axle and intelligent drivetrain control. This allows the trailer to actively support the truck tractor. As a result, diesel consumption can be reduced by around 40% on average. Naturally, that also leads to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
European Business: And what about electric trucks?
Michael W. Nimtsch: In that case, the main focus is range extension. Today, many electric truck tractors can cover around 400 to 500 km. With our system, they can achieve 800 to 900 km. That reduces charging stops and dramatically improves efficiency. And efficiency is exactly what modern logistics is all about.
European Business: You often talk about technological openness. At the same time, you criticize political processes quite openly.
Michael W. Nimtsch: Yes, because we see a contradiction there. Politicians constantly talk about decarbonization. But when it comes to supporting concrete technologies, things suddenly become complicated. A good example is toll regulation. Electric truck tractors are exempt from tolls. Our e-trailer also massively reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, yet it is not treated accordingly. Many customers simply cannot understand that.
European Business: That sounds frustrating.
Michael W. Nimtsch: In some ways, it is. Today we develop technology at a pace that regulations can no longer keep up with. Artificial intelligence is a perfect example. Our software developers already work with AI as a matter of course. Processes that once took days can now be completed within minutes. Meanwhile, regulatory decisions still take years. At some point, those two realities no longer fit together.
European Business: Where do you see Trailer Dynamics in the coming years?
Michael W. Nimtsch: We are still only at the beginning. At the moment, 33 vehicles are already operating in real logistics environments. By the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028, we plan to move into series production. Our vision is very clear: in the future, trailers and truck tractors will increasingly be seen as one integrated system. The trailer itself will play a far more important role than it does today. That is exactly what we are working on.