Commercial vehicle manufacturers TRATON GROUP with its brands Scania and MAN, Daimler Truck, and Volvo Group have previously signed a binding agreement to install and operate public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches in Europe. Now, it comes true.
The TRATON GROUP, Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group have completed the final step and formed a joint venture for charging infrastructure in Europe. This initiative is expected to be important in supporting the European Union’s Green Deal for carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050.
Call to action
The joint venture will be a self-standing legal entity, operating under its own corporate identity and plans to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charge points on, and close to, highways and logistics hubs across Europe. The investment is €500 million in total, and is probably the largest charging infrastructure investment in the European heavy-duty truck industry to date, and is a call to action to other industry players, as well as governments and policymakers, to work together for a rapid expansion of the necessary charging network as well as investing in renewable energy. As a clear signal to all stakeholders, the charging network initiated by the three parties will be open and accessible to all heavy commercial vehicles in Europe, regardless of brand.
“To find the best solutions for the climate challenge is our most urgent priority as an industry and as the TRATON GROUP. When we talk to customers about electric trucks, they always ask: where can we charge? To support as fast as possible, we are teaming up on kick-starting the European charging network,” says Christian Levin, CEO and President for Scania and TRATON GROUP.
The joint venture team will work quickly to scale up operations and network deployment to provide reliable and convenient public charging for heavy-duty vehicles. As the demand for battery electric trucks and coaches is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, the team will work collaboratively across industries to design and build charging solutions that match the needs of transport companies and drivers.
Partners and competitors
The TRATON GROUP with Scania and MAN, Daimler Truck, and Volvo Group will own equal shares in the joint venture but continue to be competitors in all other areas.