Daimler Truck, TRATON and Volvo Truck with High-Performance Charging Network

The three leading commercial vehicle manufacturers Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture. This aims to build and operate a public high-performance charging network for battery-electric heavy-duty long-distance trucks and coaches in Europe.

(Stuttgart/Munich/Gothenburg) As previously announced, the three parties commit to initiating and accelerating the necessary development of charging infrastructure for the increasing number of electric vehicle customers in Europe. They aim to contribute to a climate-neutral transport system in Europe by 2050. The establishment of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals.

The planned joint venture is to be equally owned by the three parties and is expected to commence operations in 2022, following the completion of all regulatory approval processes. The parties plan to invest a total of 500 million euros for this purpose. According to the companies’ knowledge, this is by far the largest investment in charging infrastructure for heavy trucks in Europe to date. The parties plan to establish and operate at least 1,700 high-performance charging points for green electricity along and near highways, as well as at logistics hubs and unloading points, within five years of the joint venture’s establishment. Additional partners and public funding are expected to significantly increase the number of charging points further. The planned joint venture will operate independently and will be based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It can build on the extensive experience and knowledge of the founding companies in the field of heavy-duty transport.

The parties aim to pave the way for the implementation of the European Union’s Green Deal and thus for climate-neutral freight transport by 2050: on the one hand, by providing the necessary infrastructure, and on the other hand, by focusing on green electricity at the charging points. Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP, and the Volvo Group address the urgently needed establishment of a high-performance charging network to support fleet operators in transitioning to CO₂-neutral transport solutions – particularly in heavy long-distance transport. A high-performance charging infrastructure for long-distance transport represents an economically sensible way to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in a short time. This initiative is thus an important impetus to make CO₂-neutral long-distance transport with heavy trucks and coaches successful.

Strong Signal to the Transport Industry

Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck: “With our announcement today, we send a strong signal to the transport industry and society, as we emphasize the sustainable commitment of all partners to locally CO₂-neutral trucks. The fact that three of the largest competitors in the truck and vehicle technology sector are jointly tackling the establishment of the necessary charging infrastructure is extraordinarily remarkable. Together with the Volvo Group and the TRATON GROUP, we direct this clear message to all relevant stakeholders to follow our example and act now.”

Christian Levin, CEO of TRATON GROUP: “We firmly believe that as TRATON GROUP, together with our brands Scania and MAN and the entire commercial vehicle industry, we are part of the solution for a climate-neutral world. Collaborating with strong competitors like Daimler Truck and Volvo Group may seem unusual. However, the issue is of critical importance, and through this unique collaboration, we will be able to take the transformative actions necessary to combat climate change more quickly and successfully. Our joint venture will significantly accelerate the breakthrough of battery-electric trucks and coaches, the most efficient and sustainable transport solutions.”

Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of Volvo Group: “We are putting words into action. Our planned joint venture with Daimler Truck and the TRATON GROUP represents an important step towards a more livable world. Innovative partnerships like this enable the urgently needed transformation that will benefit not only our customers but the entire industry. Our planned joint venture is both a historic milestone in the transformation towards a fossil fuel-free transport system and a breakthrough that underscores the Volvo Group’s commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and a net-zero emissions fleet by 2050 at the latest.”

Breakthrough in Reducing CO₂ Emissions

The three partners see the planned joint venture as a breakthrough for the transport industry to reduce CO₂ emissions. Other industries are also expected to benefit in multiple ways. A recent industry report* calls for up to 15,000 public and destination high-performance charging points by 2025 at the latest and up to 50,000 high-performance charging points by 2030 at the latest. The pioneering work of the partners is therefore a call to action for all other industry players as well as governments and legislators to achieve the defined climate goals together with a rapid expansion of the necessary charging network. The charging network of the three parties is to be made available to fleet operators in Europe regardless of brand – a clear signal to all other stakeholders.

As part of a customer-centered approach, the parties consider different use cases. For example, operators of fleets with battery-electric vehicles can use the legally mandated 45-minute driver rest period for charging in Europe – especially in long-distance transport, which is the focus of the future joint venture – as well as charge overnight.

Partners in the Joint Venture – Competitors in All Other Areas

Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP, and the Volvo Group will each hold equal shares in the planned joint venture. However, the parties will remain competitors in all other areas. The establishment of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals.

* Published in May 2021 by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the organization of all major truck manufacturers in Europe, which includes Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group among its members.

Photo: © Daimler