The Swiss Federal Roads Office has opened a project call to establish Switzerland’s first dedicated, demand-oriented fast-charging network for electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), seeking private operators to build and run charging parks at 32 locations along national roads.
Swiss Federal Roads Office, also known as ASTRA, said the tender covers rest areas and heavy traffic control centres and is split into three lots: two comprising 11 fixed locations each and a third covering 10 locations. The initiative is aimed at accelerating the electrification of freight transport under Switzerland’s Roadmap Electromobility 2030.
Under the plan, ASTRA will provide grid connections and transformer stations at the sites and initially bear those costs. Operators awarded contracts will reimburse the authority through an annual compensation fee and will be responsible for planning, financing, construction, connection, operation and maintenance of the charging infrastructure. No direct subsidies are предусмотрed.
ASTRA has predefined the minimum number and type of charging points at each site. Requirements range from two CCS chargers at smaller locations, such as Campagnola, to larger hubs like SVKZ Rothenburg, which will include two Megawatt Charging System (MCS) points and 10 CCS chargers. Seven of the 32 locations are set to feature at least one MCS charger, reflecting the rollout of the new megawatt-level standard for long-haul electric trucks.
The Swiss project mirrors similar efforts elsewhere in Europe, notably Germany’s programme to deploy around 350 HGV charging parks on motorways by 2030. Interested companies have until April 30 to submit applications, with an initial question round already under way, ASTRA said.