Gothenburg, Sweden: Volvo Trucks is launching a new service that lets hauliers find and access charging stations for heavy electric trucks, regardless of brand. The service will first be launched in Sweden, with other markets in Europe and other parts of the world to follow.
In Sweden, some 130 charging stations are planned to open in 2023 and 2024. The stations are operated by several different companies –Volvo Trucks is one of the partners involved.
“This is a real breakthrough for the electrification of heavy transport. Our customers will be able to access public fast chargers all around Sweden, and as a result going electric is easier than ever,” says Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks.
“Customers will be able to obtain reliable information about where to find charging stations for heavy electric trucks, and they can be assured that they are paying a fair market price with no hidden fees. With the possibility to plan the route ahead in a good way and a minimum of administration, I am convinced that this is an important step towards making electric trucks even more popular with fleet owners,” Alm says.
Volvo Trucks’ charging service works as follows:
- The charging service is part of Volvo Connect, Volvo Trucks’ interface for digital services.
- The customer can find and pay for the charging via Volvo Connect and a mobile app. A digital map shows the charging stations and if they are available. In the near future booking of charging time will be possible.
- When arriving at a charging station, the customer uses a card or a mobile app for identification and to start the charging.
- The customer receives one consolidated invoice.
Volvo Trucks is also building charging infrastructure via Milence, a joint venture formed with Daimler Truck and the Traton Group. The partnership will result in the installation and operation of at least 1,700 energy charging points on, and close to, motorways, as well as at logistics hubs in Europe. The infrastructure will offer charging to all heavy-duty battery electric vehicles, regardless of brand.
