EUROPE. New schemes from DAF and Volvo to improve electric truck charging

Two truck manufacturers, DAF and Volvo, have recently announced initiatives aimed at improving the charging infrastructure for electric lorries across Europe, addressing one of the major challenges faced by the EV sector: access to reliable and efficient charging facilities.

DAF Trucks has joined HDV Booking, a newly formed consortium working to establish a Europe-wide platform for reserving public charging stations specifically for heavy-duty vehicles. The consortium includes various stakeholders such as charging facility providers, transport companies, and software developers.

The platform, which aims to be fully operational by 2026, will enable transport companies to find and reserve available charging points, facilitating more efficient planning of routes and reducing waiting times at charging stations.

Meanwhile, Volvo Trucks has introduced a new service called Charging Management, aimed at optimising the charging process for electric lorries at company depots.

This service allows fleet operators to manage the charging schedules of their vehicles, ensuring that lorries are sufficiently charged and ready for operation according to planned schedules.

The platform also provides real-time monitoring of battery levels and charging status, along with detailed reports on charging sessions.

This service is designed to enhance the productivity and uptime of electric truck fleets by minimising the need for unscheduled charging stops.

Volvo’s recent efforts also include the Volvo Open Charge service, which assists hauliers in locating and accessing public charging stations. The service currently operates in Sweden and the Netherlands, with plans to expand to other European countries.

In the near future, Volvo aims to introduce a booking feature within this service, further aiding transport companies in their route planning and ensuring more reliable access to charging facilities.