The joint venture between Daimler Truck, the Traton Group and Volvo Group, called Milence, has been selected by the European Union to develop alternative fuel infrastructure.
A total grant of €422 million, provided by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), will support a total of 39 initiatives to drive the transition to cleaner transport, with the Milence scheme being one of them.
The MILES (Mobility Infrastructure for Logistics – Electric & Sustainable) project received €111,537,000 with a comprehensive approach to improving EV charging infrastructure along the TEN-T network, including all nine European transport corridors as well as urban hubs.
It will deploy 284 MCS and 264 CCS charging points in 71 locations across 10 EU member states, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Poland, and will be completed by 2027.
The AFIF aims to offer a signal to transport companies that sustainable trucking is viable, and for those who have already invested in their first electric trucks—or are considering the leap—can move forward with confidence.
Milence already has 13 hubs operational in six countries, including on routes connecting Europe’s major ports and logistics hubs: Antwerp to Duisburg, Malmö to Gothenburg and Stockholm, and Barcelona to Lyon.
Each location will feature 4 Megawatt Charging System (MCS) recharging points of 1 MW or more and up to 4 Combined Charging System (CCS) recharging points of 400 kW each. Battery storage, energy management and smart grid solutions will also be offered.
MILES project will incorporate safe and secure parking elements, improved driver experience, and reservation options. It will also provide reliable technology, integration of renewable energy & smart grid, as well as comprehensive IT systems, allowing drivers to recharge quickly and continue their journeys without delay.
This project is co-financed by Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union.
Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence said:
“Being selected as a leading project and receiving a large share of EU funding is a testament to the remarkable progress Milence has made in just two years. It reflects the trust we’ve built in our ability to deploy Europe’s largest public charging network for heavy-duty electric vehicles.
“The AFIF’s call is an important step towards making HDV (Heavy Duty Vehicles) charging hubs strategic pillars of Europe’s transport future. This is a continental mission and working together is essential. I congratulate all funded projects and am happy to join forces in building a more sustainable future for Europe.”
