Three major European truck manufacturers – Daimler Trucks, AB Volvo and Traton (MAN, Scania, Navistar, etc.) have announced the creation of a joint venture for an electric battery charger. network for long-distance lorries and buses. This is necessary because the lack of an extensive charging network has been a general obstacle to the mass adoption of battery-powered vehicles.
The three companies, which are usually competitors, invest EUR 500 million in the company they own equally. and which will become operational in 2022. The goal is to install and operate at least 1,700 charging stations within five years. Amsterdam will be the seat of the joint venture, which will eventually seek additional partners and public funding
Filling stations will be installed along motorways and close to logistics and destination points within five years of the establishment of the joint venture. If more partners are involved and public funding is available, they will want to significantly increase the number of recharging points over time. The future company is planned to operate under its own corporate identity
The future Joint Undertaking will act as a catalyst and facilitator in the implementation of the European Union’s Green Roadmap for CO2-neutral freight transport by 2050. High-performance charging infrastructure for long-distance freight transport is a cost-effective way to achieve significant, rapid emission reductions, say the founding companies
A recent industry report estimates the creation of up to 15,000 high-capacity public and destination filling stations by 2025 at the latest and considers that a maximum of 50,000 high-capacity charging points are needed by 2030 at the latest. Therefore, the partners urge all other industry actors, as well as governments and regulators, to work together to rapidly expand the necessary charging network to meet climate goals. It is a clear signal to all stakeholders that the founding charging network of the three companies will be open and accessible to all European commercial vehicles, regardless of brand.
Different aspects are taken into account when setting up the network, focusing on customer needs. Operators of the battery electric fleet will be able to use both fast charging for a mandatory 45-minute rest period and night charging.
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