Daimler Truck, the Traton Group and Volvo Group have signed a binding agreement to create a joint venture (JV) to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe. The planned joint venture is scheduled to start operations in 2022 following completion of all regulatory approval processes.
The parties are together committing to invest €500 million, which is assumed to be by far the largest charging infrastructure investment in the European heavy-duty truck industry to date. The plan is to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points on and close to highways as well as at logistic and destination points within five years of the establishment of the joint venture. The number of charging points is with time intended to be increased significantly by seeking additional partners as well as public funding. The future JV is planned to operate under its own corporate identity and be based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The joint action of the three companies addresses the urgent need for a high-performance charging network to support truck and coach operators with their transition to CO2-neutral transport solutions, especially in heavy-duty long-distance range. The three partners see this as a breakthrough for the transport industry to cut carbon emissions. A recent industry report* is calling for up to 15,000 high-performance public and destination charging points by no later than 2025, and up to 50,000 high-performance charging points by no later than 2030.