Milence has opened a new public charging hub for electric trucks in Ghent, Belgium, expanding its heavy-duty charging network along one of Europe’s key freight corridors.
The site, located near the Volvo Trucks plant at the Schansakker exit of the R4 ring road, marks the fourth Milence charging hub in Belgium. Volvo Group is one of the joint venture’s shareholders alongside Daimler Truck and Traton.
In the first phase of operation, the Ghent hub offers four Combined Charging System (CCS) charging points with power output of up to 400 kW each. Milence said it plans to upgrade the site in a second phase by integrating megawatt charging system (MCS) technology designed specifically for heavy-duty trucks.
The future MCS upgrade is expected to reduce charging times for large truck batteries to between 30 and 45 minutes. For example, a long-haul electric truck equipped with a 600 kWh battery could require around 90 minutes to fully charge at 400 kW, although vehicles rarely arrive at charging stations with completely depleted batteries.
The new hub is positioned along the TEN-T North Sea–Mediterranean corridor, which connects major logistics hubs across Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany. Ghent’s port area is linked to the North Sea through a canal, making it an important gateway for freight transport.
The proximity of the charging hub to the Volvo Trucks plant allows battery-electric trucks supplying the factory to recharge without major detours. Volvo Cars also operates a manufacturing plant nearby along the same ring road, producing models such as the EX30.
Milence designed the Ghent hub with a drive-through layout to accommodate heavy-duty vehicles. The facility also provides rest amenities for drivers, including sanitary facilities.
Charging sessions can be paid for through contactless payment, charging cards from roaming providers or the company’s Milence Charge Card. The company recently revised its pricing system across Europe to reflect local energy costs and operating conditions. In Belgium, the charging price is now set at €0.379 per kilowatt-hour, excluding tax.
“Ghent is a key logistics gateway, and this new hub strengthens our network along Europe’s main freight corridors,” said Anja van Niersen, chief executive of Milence. “Developed in close collaboration with the Volvo Group, it shows how industry partnerships can accelerate the transition to zero-emission road transport while responding to evolving market needs.”
Van Niersen added that the company plans to continue expanding its network to support the growth of electric trucking. “Our goal is to further support this acceleration by expanding our network and making electric trucking simple and cost-efficient for fleet operators.”
Milence already operates additional charging hubs in Belgium, including two at the port of Antwerp-Zeebrugge and another in Maasmechelen.