Infrastructure needed to go green

Truck makers and environmentalists have joined forces to push for the deployment of 11 000 charging points for electric trucks across the EU by 2025, rising to 42 000 by 2030. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and Transport & Environment (T&E) made this call to the European Commission in a joint letter on April 13.

Given that there are currently close to zero truck-specific charging stations in operation, these targets are ambitious – but necessary to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal, the associations say.

In addition, some 300 hydrogen refuelling stations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles should be rolled out no later than 2025, increasing to around 1 000 no later than 2030.

The common industry/NGO request comes ahead of the expected review of Europe’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID) this year.

Electric and hydrogen-powered trucks require specific charging and refuelling infrastructure because of their high power and energy demand, as well as space, parking and access requirements. The European Commission must address these specific needs in the AFID review, ensuring charging and refuelling is possible at truck depots, at logistics hubs (when loading and unloading), at public sites in urban areas and along highway corridors.

“Our industry is fully committed to the Green Deal and therefore carbon-neutral road freight transport by 2050 at the latest. To that end, we are investing massively in CO2-neutral trucks,” stated Martin Daum, ACEA Commercial Vehicle board chair and CEO of Daimler Truck AG.

“However, our customers will not invest in these vehicles unless they can charge and refuel them easily as they deliver goods from one country to another. The upcoming AFID review is a golden opportunity to make sure that infrastructure roll-out and the deployment of zero-emission vehicles go hand-in-hand.”

“The future is electric, even for trucks,” said William Todts, executive director at Transport & Environment. “The transition to zero-emission trucks is happening and it is time for the European Commission to wake up. We need to build 10 000 truck charging points in the next four years, in truck depots, logistics hub and along every main highway in Europe.”