Sustainable Transport in Action
Through its successful participation in the eNordkapp Challenge 2025, VEGA International, together with Team502, has convincingly demonstrated that electric heavy-duty transport is already feasible today under real-world extreme conditions.
All participating teams reached the Nordkapp – the northernmost point in Europe accessible by road. For VEGA International and Team502, this achievement marks the successful completion of a demanding real-world test carried out under extraordinary climatic and infrastructural conditions.
Extreme Conditions as a Real-World Test
The final stage from Honningsvåg to the Nordkapp placed the highest demands on both people and technology. Over the last 34 kilometres, gradients of up to 9 percent, icy road surfaces and extreme temperatures had to be overcome.
Team502 – represented by Herbert and Silvia Salentinig – completed this route with a fully electric Mercedes eActros including a semi-trailer, becoming the first team to achieve this in this specific vehicle configuration. The journey took place at temperatures of up to –34 °C, on snow- and ice-covered roads, with an average energy consumption of approximately 195 kWh.
Despite these extreme conditions, the vehicle proved to be stable and reliable throughout. While the charging infrastructure in Northern Norway is generally usable, heavy-duty transport requires a high degree of organisational flexibility, particularly when operating with semi-trailers. These findings provide valuable insights for the future practical deployment of electric commercial vehicles.
The People Behind the Success: Team502
Behind Team502 are Herbert and Silvia Salentinig, who consistently translated VEGA International’s commitment to future-oriented mobility into practice through their experience, technical expertise and strong team spirit.
Their dedication demonstrates that transformation in the transport sector is not solely a technological challenge, but above all depends on people who are willing to take responsibility and pursue new paths.
What Is the eNordkapp Challenge?
The eNordkapp Challenge is an international long-distance challenge for electric vehicles. Its objective is to test electric mobility under real-life conditions – across long distances, in winter climates and in regions with partially challenging charging infrastructure.
The challenge brings together private and corporate teams and generates valuable practical insights that contribute to the further development of sustainable mobility solutions in transport and logistics.
Relevance for VEGA International
The eNordkapp Challenge started at the charging park of AVIA Volt in Oldenburg, with the Nordkapp as its destination. For VEGA International, participation represents a clear commitment:
- Zero-emission heavy-duty transport is already achievable today
- Electric mobility proves itself even under extreme conditions
- Sustainable logistics are created through consistent real-world application
The entire VEGA team would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Silvia and Herbert Salentinig. Through their commitment, endurance and team spirit, they successfully led Team502 to Nordkapp and conveyed our company's values and ambitions in an outstanding way. Their dedication exemplifies responsibility, innovative thinking, and the courage to forge new paths.
