Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and the Traton Group have signed a non-binding agreement to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe. The joint aim is to initiate and accelerate the build-up of charging infrastructure, to enhance customer confidence and to support the EU's transformation to climate-neutral transportation. The agreement lays the foundation of a future joint venture equally owned by the three parties, with operations set to start in 2022. The parties intend to invest €500m to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points close to highways as well as at logistic and destination points. This is expected to take place within five years from the establishment of the joint venture, with the number of charging points intended to increase significantly by seeking additional partners, as well as public funding. The future joint venture is planned to operate under its own corporate identity and be based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It will be able to build on the broad experience and knowledge of its founding partners in heavy-duty trucking. The agreement will act as catalyst and enabler for realising the European Union's (EU) Green Deal for a carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050. This will take place by both providing the necessary infrastructure and targeting for green energy at the charging points. The joint action of Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and Traton Group addresses the urgent need for a high-performance charging network to support truck operators with their transition to CO2-neutral transport solutions, especially in heavy-duty long-distance trucking. High-performance charging infrastructure enabling long-haul trucking is a cost-efficient way towards significant, fast-to-realise emission reductions. Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of Volvo Group, said, "We are laying the necessary foundation in making a break-through for our customers to make the transformation to electrification by creating a European charging network leader." He added, "We have powerful electro-mobility technologies, and now, with Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and thanks to the European Green Deal, also an industry-wide understanding as well as a political environment to make fundamental progress towards sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions." Martin Daum, CEO at Daimler Truck, said, "It is the joint aim of Europe's truck manufacturers to achieve climate neutrality by 2050." "However, it is vital that building up the right infrastructure goes hand in hand with putting CO2-neutral trucks on the road," he noted, "Together with Volvo Group and Traton Group, we are therefore very excited to take this pioneering step to establish a high-performance charging network across Europe." Matthias Gründler, CEO at Traton Group, added, "For the Traton, it is clear that the future of transport is electric, and this requires the rapid development of publicly accessible charging points, especially for long-distance heavy-duty transport." "We are now moving forward together with our partners Daimler Truck and Volvo Group to make this high-performance network a reality as quickly as possible," he said, "We now make the first step to accelerate the transition towards sustainable, fossil free transport, and the second step should be a strong engagement of the EU for the full scale-up of a charging network across Europe." A recent industry report is calling for up to 15,000 high-performance public and destination charging points by no later than 2025, and up to 50,000 high-performance charging points by no later than 2030. The partners are kick-starting this with a call for action to all other industry players, as well as governments and regulators, to work together for a rapid expansion of the needed charging network. This will be able to contribute to reaching the climate targets. As a clear signal towards all stakeholders, the charging network of the three parties will be open and accessible to all commercial vehicles in Europe, regardless of brand.
