Today, Daimler Truck, Traton Group and Volvo Group completed the final step in the formation of the previously announced joint venture in the field of charging infrastructure in Europe. The new joint venture, of which Anja van Niersen was appointed CEO, is expected to play an important role in supporting the European Union’s Green Deal for carbon neutral freight transport by 2050.
As announced last year, the joint venture (JV) plans to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points on and near highways, as well as in logistics platforms in Europe. The parties agree to invest a total of €500 million, which is expected to be by far the largest investment in charging infrastructure in the heavy goods vehicle sector in Europe to date.
The joint venture intends to play a catalytic role as a charge point operator (CPO) in the value chain by installing and managing charging stations for trucks and coaches. It will be an autonomous legal entity, operating under its own identity and based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Anja van Niersen, who will lead the new company, will bring with her extensive experience in the energy and charging industry, having most recently served as CEO and then Chairman of the Board. of a major European provider of electric vehicle charging networks.
With a resolutely customer-centric approach focused on the specific needs of transporters, the joint venture will provide reliable and accessible high-efficiency charging stations to all operators of battery-electric heavy-duty vehicle fleets.
This kick-off is a call to action for all other players in the sector, as well as governments and policy makers, to work together to rapidly expand the necessary charging network and invest in the renewable energies to meet Europe’s climate targets. As a clear signal to all stakeholders, the charging network initiated by the three parties will be open and accessible to all heavy industrial vehicles in Europe, regardless of their brand.
Martin DaumCEO of Daimler Truck: “ We are very happy to kick off this new joint venture with our partners. It is essential that we now take the initiative to put in place the charging network that we so badly need. However, we call on the entire sector to join in our effort. The number of charging points must increase significantly and as quickly as possible for long-distance electric transport to become a viable solution for our customers.. »
Christian LevinCEO of the Traton group: “ Finding the best solutions to tackle the climate challenge is our most pressing priority as an industry and as a TRATON Group. When we tell our customers about electric trucks, they always ask us where we can charge them. To help them as quickly as possible, we are teaming up and, from today, we are kicking off the European charging network. With Anja van Niersen, this joint venture has a managing director with extensive experience in setting up charging networks. Anja and her team will support this important journey that will advance sustainable transportation. »
Martin LundstedtPresident and CEO of the Volvo Group: This is a major, long-awaited step towards establishing the charging infrastructure necessary for the deployment and success of battery-electric long-haul trucks and coaches. We realize what would be impossible for a single player: this strong partnership is an important step and an accelerator towards carbon neutral transport in Europe by 2050. »
The joint venture team will work quickly to scale up operations and roll out the network to provide reliable and convenient public charging for heavy vehicles. As the demand for battery electric trucks and coaches is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, the team will work in collaboration with the various business sectors to design and build charging solutions that match the needs of transport companies. and drivers.
Further information, including the brand name reveal, will be available in 2022. Partners in the joint venture, but competitors in all other areas
Daimler Truck, the Traton group and the Volvo group will hold equal shares in this joint venture, but will remain competitors in all other areas. The three partners signed the joint venture agreement in December 2021. Since then, the necessary approvals from the responsible authorities have been obtained.
Press release from the Daimler Truck, Traton and Volvo groups.
