AUER – April 2025 – Looking at the headlines, it might seem like the future of electric heavy-duty transport is just behind the corner: available e-truck in the market, digital tools for e-truck performance monitoring and ultra-fast charging stations are regularly mentioned in public discourse. The widespread adoption of electric cars led many to believe that the large-scale deployment of electric trucks would also be within the market’s reach However, using an electric truck presents far greater challenges, many of which remain unresolved today.
The lack of charging infrastructure at strategic points in the transportation network, the need for high power and adequate space to recharge heavy-duty vehicles, not to mention the performance of both the trucks and the charging systems—which heavily depends on environmental and geographical conditions—are just some of the challenges logistics companies are currently facing
To address this issue, some logistics operators are taking direct action to fill the infrastructure gap. Gruber Logistics is one of these companies and has already activated two charging points dedicated to heavy-duty trucks in Germany strategically located in Staufenberg along the Scandinavian – Mediterranean Corridor and another in Cologne in the core of the Rhine valley along the most relevant freight routes crossing Europe.
Alongside on-the-ground initiatives, Gruber Logistics has been committed for years to the research and development of technological solutions for decarbonization, among which the European co-funded project FLEXMCS stands out. The Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems project, aims to develop prototypes of high-power charging systems (megawatt chargers) specifically designed for freight transport needs. The project aims not only to increase the power and speed of charging but also to redefine the physical layout of infrastructure, making it compatible with the operational needs of road logistics.
Currently, most charging stations are not suitable for trucks. There isn’t enough space for maneuvering or parking, and the available power is often not enough. Additionally, the actual charging speed is usually slower than expected due to the lack of dedicated infrastructures. For example, a station designed for charging at 350 kW might charge much more slowly when the powred os shared with other vehicles or due to limitation at network level. While this might be a minor issue for car drivers, it can cause significant disruptions in logistics operations.
FLEXMCS, led by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, addresses these issues by proposing a new charging model, designed from the outset for the heavy transport sector. The project involves major industrial players such as DAF, IVECO, Bosch, Alpitronic Energy, and Gruber Logistics as single logistics partner, which will be responsible for supporting the development of the 1.2 MW power station and testing it with own trucks in max 45 minutes within the driver’s break. The project receives support from the European Commission with a total funding of €8,76 millions euro.
This bottom-up approach aligns with the broader innovation efforts promoted by ALICE – the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, partner of the Project. As the leading European platform bringing together industry, research, and policy stakeholders, ALICE plays a key role in fostering collaboration and accelerating the deployment of sustainable and smart logistics solutions across the continent.
