Fraunhofer ISI: ‘fewer truck fast chargers needed than required by EU’

A new joint study by Fraunhofer ISI and Amazon provides critical insights into the optimal number and location of public fast-charging stations required to enable the widespread electrification of long-haul trucking in Europe.

The study suggests that just 1,000 charging stations equipped with Megawatt Charging System (MCS) outlets could enable about 91% of expected long-haul trucking traffic.

1,000 charging locations

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport in general and from heavy-duty trucks in particular, all EU Member States must deploy infrastructure for alternative fuels in the coming years. This includes public fast-charging infrastructure for trucks along highways.

To date, little is known about optimal truck charging locations for long-haul trucking in Europe. To shed some light on this, the study suggests optimized truck charging networks in publicly accessible locations across the continent.

The key findings show that for an electrification target of 15% battery electric truck (BET) share in long-haul, 1,000 optimally selected charging locations could enable 91% of truck traffic, while 500 locations would allow for about half of truck flows.

Fewer stations needed

This result is particularly surprising, as the number of suggested locations is smaller than the minimum infrastructure targets required by the European Union.

As part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package, for the first time, the AFIR of July 2023 sets legally binding national and EU-wide targets for the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure for road vehicles, vessels, and stationary aircraft.

The AFIR requires that public chargers for electric trucks be provided at regular intervals along Europe’s primary and secondary motorways and in major cities. According to the regulation, recharging stations for HDVs (above 3.5 tonnes) with a minimum output of 350kW must be deployed.

That means every 60 km along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) core network (main roads) and at every 100 km on the larger TEN-T network from 2025 onwards, with complete network coverage by 2030.

Regarding optimal locations for truck charging hubs in Europe, the study recommends high-traffic routes, with locations concentrated at major intersections and corridors. As the network expands, additional locations would be added to cover less trafficked routes.

Dr. Patrick Plötz, author of the study

Dr. Patrick Plötz, Coordinator of the Business Unit Energy Economy at Fraunhofer ISI and author of the study: “The study shows that even fewer locations than required by the European Union would enable almost all European truck traffic. However, the locations built will need to secure sufficient grid power. […] This highlights the significant energy requirements and grid infrastructure needed to support the electrification of Europe’s commercial trucking sector at scale.”

He adds, “This research suggests that the industry needs to accelerate the development and adoption of megawatt charging systems like MCS, as this enables logistics operators who do not have access to depots to electrify their fleets effectively.”