A new study pinpoints precise locations for charging infrastructure across the EU. A study conducted by Fraunhofer ISI on behalf of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) indicates key locations for the future deployment of charging points for battery-electric trucks.
The study’s unique dataset can be used to help map out an EU-wide network of truck charging points, including at long-haul and regional stop locations in the European Union, the UK, and other countries in Europe.
According to the study, the future location of charging stations should be based on the current operation patterns of vehicles. To identify these sites, Fraunhofer analyzed 30,000 aggregated truck stop locations. Furthermore, based on the logistics activity of some 400,000 trucks using 750,000 individual stops, this information was collected by the seven European truck manufacturers. Therefore, the locations of future charging infrastructure should be chosen to match the current locations of longer stops for many vehicles. To identify such locations, an analysis of stop locations of current commercial vehicles on the road in Europe is required.
It shows that the truck stop locations are concentrated around highly populated areas in central Europe. However, they are denser around important industrial areas and major cities – Northern Italy, Paris, Greater Manchester, Berlin, and Frankfurt – and follow main European roads.
According to the new data, about one-third to one-half of the stops are in rest areas close to motorways. Approximately one quarter to one third are at company sites or logistic hub locations, with just 1% to 5% in ports and ferry terminals.
There are two main categories of stopping time: less than three hours (with 35% between 30 and 60 minutes) and longer than eight hours. The high frequency of shorter stops and the driving and rest time rules highlight the need for high-power charging points suitable for re-charging trucks in a short amount of time.
This new analysis indicates suitable sites for charging infrastructure from a logistics and operational perspective. However, further analysis will be required using other criteria (e.g., available power grid capacity, local considerations, the existence of charging infrastructure for electric cars, etc.).
Source: ACEA