The three leading commercial vehicle manufacturers Daimler Truck, the Traton Group and Volvo Group have signed a non-binding agreement to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe.
The joint aim is to initiate and accelerate the build-up of charging infrastructure to enhance customer confidence and to support the EU’s transformation to climate-neutral transportation.
The agreement lays the foundation of a future joint venture (JV) – equally owned by the three parties, planning to start operations in 2022.
The parties intend to invest together €500 million to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points close to highways, as well as at logistic and destination points, within five years from the establishment of the JV.
The number of charging points is 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 Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and the Traton Group addresses the urgent need for a high-performance charging network to support truck operators with their transition to CO2-neutral transport solutions, especially in heavy-duty long-distance trucking.
Martin Daum, CEO Daimler Truck, said: “It is the joint aim of Europe’s truck manufacturers to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. However, it is vital that building up the right infrastructure goes hand in hand with putting CO2-neutral trucks on the road. Together with the Traton Group and Volvo Group, we are therefore very excited to take this pioneering step to establish a high-performance charging network across Europe.”
Matthias Gründler, CEO Traton Group, said: “It is clear that the future of transport is electric. This requires the rapid development of publicly accessible charging points, especially for long-distance heavy-duty transport. We are now moving forward together with our partners Daimler Truck and Volvo Group to make this high-performance network a reality as quickly as possible. We now make the first step to accelerate the transition towards sustainable, fossil free transport. The second step should be a strong engagement of the EU for the full scale-up of a charging network across Europe.”
Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group, said: “We are laying the necessary foundation in making a break-through for our customers to make the transformation to electrification by creating a European charging network leader. We have powerful electromobility technologies, and now, with Daimler Truck, the Traton Group and thanks to the European Green Deal, also an industry-wide understanding as well as a political environment to make fundamental progress towards sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.”
Image: courtesy Daimler.com Press Office
