Approvals are delayed
Daimler Truck complains about a lack of charging points
October 15, 2023, 4:22 p.m
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The trucking industry is aiming to move away from the internal combustion engine and towards more environmentally friendly alternatives. The demand for electric motors is great – but there are not enough charging stations, especially for trucks. In addition, another problem could jeopardize the changeover.
Large truck manufacturers see their climate goals at risk due to the lack of charging infrastructure in Europe. Daimler Truck CEO Karin Rådström told “Automobilwoche” that 45,000 charging points will be needed by 2030 to enable the desired pace of ramping up electromobility in commercial vehicles. “Even if we increased our commitment, there would still be a big gap.”
The infrastructure is the biggest challenge for truck customers. Daimler, Volvo and Traton have been planning for a long time to build and operate 1,700 high-performance charging points on motorways and junctions by 2027. Setting up a charging station on your own premises is not always easy, said the brand manager of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. For example, it must be checked whether the network is suitable.
In Germany, the approval process often takes a very long time, said Rådström. The sector is important for decarbonization and the financial outlay is lower compared to other sectors. Given the many uncertainties, forecasts are currently difficult. “We said that up to 60 percent of our new vehicles in Europe in 2030 could consist of battery-electric or fuel cell trucks. But in the end this depends on a lot of things, such as the development of energy prices,” said the manager. Exact predictions are therefore not possible.