Volvo, Daimler, Traton Invest in Electric Truck Charging Network

European Automakers Collaborate on Electric Truck Charging Network

A significant agreement has been reached between Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and the Traton Group – Volkswagen’s heavy-truck division. The companies have announced a preliminary accord to construct a robust network of high-performance charging stations throughout Europe.

These stations will be designed to support electric heavy-duty long-haul trucks and buses. Initial reports of the agreement surfaced through Reuters news agency.

Investment and Infrastructure Plans

The three automotive giants plan to collectively invest approximately €500 million (equivalent to $593 million USD) in this ambitious project. This funding will facilitate the installation and operation of 1,700 charging points.

These charging locations will be strategically positioned along major highways and in key transportation hubs. The companies aim to finalize the agreement by year-end and commence operations in the following year.

Future expansion is anticipated as the joint venture actively seeks additional partners.

Driving Towards Carbon Neutrality

This initiative directly supports the European Union’s objective of achieving carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050. A primary obstacle to widespread EV adoption, for both individual consumers and freight companies, has been the limited availability of charging infrastructure.

By proactively addressing this challenge, Volvo, Daimler, and Traton also expect to stimulate demand for their own electric truck and bus offerings.

Industry Leaders Express Enthusiasm

“Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is a shared ambition among Europe’s leading truck manufacturers,” stated Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck. “However, deploying CO₂-neutral trucks requires a parallel investment in the necessary infrastructure.”

He further emphasized the excitement surrounding this pioneering step towards establishing a high-performance charging network across the continent, undertaken in collaboration with Volvo Group and the TRATON GROUP.

Building on Existing Partnerships

The collaboration between Volvo and Daimler is not a new development. Earlier in May, the two companies joined forces to develop hydrogen fuel cells for long-haul trucks.

This partnership was established to reduce development costs and increase production efficiency. This latest venture underscores a growing trend of major corporations uniting to tackle climate-related challenges within the industry.

The Scale of the Challenge

The European car industry association, ACEA, has advocated for the deployment of up to 50,000 high-performance charging points by 2030. Matthias Gruendler, CEO of Traton, indicated to Reuters that an estimated €10 billion will be required to fully electrify Europe’s infrastructure by 2050.

A Call for Collective Action

Volvo’s official statement frames this venture as an invitation to other stakeholders – including automakers and governmental bodies – to collaborate and accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure.

This collective effort is deemed essential to achieving ambitious climate goals.

Operational Details of the Charging Network

The charging stations will be universally accessible, accommodating battery electric vehicle fleets from all manufacturers. Operators will have the flexibility to utilize fast charging during the mandatory 45-minute rest periods for long-distance drivers.

Overnight charging options will also be available.

Joint Venture Structure

The joint venture will operate as an independent entity, headquartered in Amsterdam. Volvo, Daimler, and Traton will each hold equal ownership stakes.

Despite this collaboration, the companies will maintain their competitive stance in all other aspects of their businesses.