“Building Europe’s largest public charging network for heavy duty vehicles” – Tobias Prenzel from Milence

According to Prenzel, the market for electric trucks is on the cusp of rapid growth. “From around 7,000 to 8,000 electric trucks today, we expect to see 400,000 heavy-duty electric trucks by 2030, with a 50% market share of new trucks sold,” he predicts. This growth is spurred by regulatory pressures to reduce CO2 emissions and a growing demand among customers to meet sustainability goals in their supply chains.

Milence, a joint venture by Volvo Group, Daimler Group, and Traton Group, aims to deploy 1,700 public charging points across Europe by 2027, with an interim target of 70 hubs by the end of the next year. Prenzel acknowledges the challenges: “Our timeline is ambitious, but achievable, despite dependencies on permitting procedures and securing grid capacity.”

The charging hubs are designed exclusively for heavy-duty vehicles, featuring a drive-through layout to minimise risks and maximise efficiency. Sites are modular, ranging from four to over 20 bays, and incorporate cutting-edge infrastructure like the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), which Prenzel highlights as critical for future long-haul transport needs. “We are deploying the first five MCS chargers in the coming months, establishing a corridor from Antwerp to Stockholm,” he reveals.

Addressing Challenges and Building Confidence

Milence’s progress has not been without obstacles. Differences in permitting procedures and grid congestion present hurdles, particularly in countries like Germany. Prenzel contrasts this with more streamlined processes in France, where deployment has been relatively smoother.

Despite these challenges, Milence has secured over 80 contracts across ten markets, instilling confidence in carriers and hauliers. “Rather than just hitting numbers, we focus on creating confidence in the public network. This enables companies to plan their electrification journey with greater certainty,” he says.
The company’s hubs are already enabling key routes across Europe. “From Berlin to Nuremberg, or from Lyon to Barcelona, electric heavy-duty travel is now possible with our network,” Prenzel highlights. Sites in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany are operational, with others in France, Spain, and Italy set to launch soon.

Milence is also actively integrating with e-mobility service providers, ensuring seamless user access. “Whether through charge cards, an app, or direct payment terminals, we aim to make charging as easy as possible,” Prenzel states.

A Vision for Europe

Looking beyond its ten focus markets, Milence is open to expanding into other European regions as opportunities arise. Prenzel envisions a network that supports Europe’s extensive transportation corridors.“Our goal is to electrify Europe’s heavy-duty transport along the EU’s TENT network,” he affirms. “This is about building the backbone for a sustainable logistics industry.” Milence’s ambitious vision and strategic execution underscore the critical role of infrastructure in accelerating the transition to electric trucking. With a blend of innovation, collaboration, and determination, the company is set to redefine the landscape of heavy-duty transport, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future.