Lack of charging infrastructure for electric trucks? Logistics companies take action
Reading the headlines, one might think that electric heavy transport is already a reality: charging stations along every corridor, digital maps, ultra-fast charging, and excitement over vehicle performance. But the reality is quite different: charging a truck is not like charging an electric car. It requires much more than a simple socket and a map showing charging points along the route.
To date, most existing charging infrastructures cannot be used by trucks: adequate maneuvering and parking spaces are lacking, available electrical power is insufficient, and actual performance often falls short of operators’ stated specifications. An infrastructure rated at 350 kW could theoretically recharge a heavy goods vehicle in under an hour; in practice, however, charging speeds are often much lower, especially when multiple vehicles are plugged in. While this may be a minor inconvenience for a car driver, in a logistics context it can disrupt entire transport schedules.
To address this challenge, some logistics operators are taking direct action to bridge the shortage of dedicated, suitable infrastructure for freight transport. GRUBER Logistics is among them, having already deployed two charging facilities for heavy electric vehicles in Germany: one in Staufenberg and another in Cologne, both operational for just a few days. These are strategic hubs designed to support the deployment of 44-tonne electric trucks, representing a concrete first step toward the electrification of heavy transport.
Alongside these on-the-ground initiatives, GRUBER Logistics is also a partner in the European FLEXMCS – Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems project, which aims to develop high-power charging system prototypes (megawatt chargers) specifically designed for freight transport requirements. The project aims not only to test increased power output and charging speeds, but also to redefine the physical layout of infrastructure, making it compatible with the operational requirements of road logistics.
FLEXMCS, coordinated by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, addresses these challenges by proposing a new charging model designed from the outset for the heavy transport sector. The project brings together major industrial players such as DAF, IVECO, Bosch, and Alpitronic Energy, alongside GRUBER Logistics, and is supported by the European Commission with total funding of €8.76 million.
The goal is ambitious: to build interoperable hubs based on open software architectures and intelligent planning modules to optimize energy use and charging times. Megawatt Chargers (MCS), with a capacity of up to 1-1.2 MWh, will be able to recharge trucks with 600 kWh batteries in approximately 40-45 minutes, taking into account the slowdown that occurs during the initial and final charging stages (0%-20% and 80%-100%).
The message is clear: to truly enable the energy transition in heavy transport, new infrastructure is needed—designed not for cars, but for trucks. And if the market does not provide it, the logistics sector itself will build it.
This bottom-up approach aligns with the broader innovation activities driven by ALICE – Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, a partner in the project. As the leading European platform bringing together industry, research, and policymakers, ALICE plays a key role in fostering collaboration and accelerating the deployment of sustainable, smart logistics solutions across Europe.
These infrastructure initiatives complement a broader fleet electrification roadmap: GRUBER Logistics has already deployed several electric vehicles in Germany and Italy, aiming to make freight transport not just low-emission, but completely zero-emission.