Finnish charging hardware manufacturer Kempower has clinched substantial funding from the state economic development agency Business Finland to fuel its ambitious “Heavy Electric Traffic Ecosystem” development program, aimed at revolutionizing high-power charging solutions for electric trucks.
Under the agreement, Kempower is set to receive a generous infusion of 10 million euros over a span of five years to drive forward its groundbreaking program. Additionally, Business Finland has allocated an impressive sum of 20 million euros to support partner projects aligned with the program’s overarching goals. As the driving force behind the initiative, Kempower is actively seeking over 60 collaborators to join its burgeoning ecosystem.
See also: Kempower Introduces Silicon Carbide Charger Platform for Enhanced Efficiency
The core objective of Kempower’s initiative is to spearhead the development of cutting-edge charging solutions tailored specifically for electric trucks, with a pronounced focus on heavy long-haul vehicles. Moreover, the Finnish firm is dedicated to bolstering software capabilities and test platforms to underpin the robustness of the charging infrastructure.
In a press release, Kempower outlined the multifaceted scope of the program, highlighting its emphasis on exploring future charging models and assessing the ramifications of heavy traffic charging infrastructure on power grids. The company expressed its intent to embark on a series of research and development endeavors spanning various domains, including charging technologies, digital solutions, customer applications, and future charging solutions.
Speaking on the initiative, Kempower CEO Tomi Ristimäki underscored the pressing need for scalable DC charging infrastructure tailored to the exigencies of heavy traffic, particularly long-haul trucks. Ristimäki emphasized that the growth trajectory of electric trucks hinges upon the availability of charging infrastructure that aligns seamlessly with practical operational requirements. He stressed the indispensability of developing a robust charging ecosystem to ensure uninterrupted operations for electric trucks engaged in cargo transportation.
See also: Kempower Ships First Batch of US-Made EV Chargers to Canada
Keen on swiftly establishing a foothold in the burgeoning market, Kempower embarked on strategic initiatives last year, including the inauguration of a dedicated product development center in Vaasa, with a sharp focus on devising charging solutions tailored for heavy goods vehicles. Additionally, the company forged a strategic collaboration with LUT University in Lahti to leverage academic expertise in advancing charging technology.
In a notable milestone, Kempower unveiled its first MCS product for electric trucks in October 2023, boasting charging capacities of up to 1.2 megawatts. Shortly thereafter, the company secured a pivotal partnership with Milence, a joint venture spearheaded by industry titans Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group. Kempower’s selection as a hardware supplier for Milence underscores its burgeoning stature in the electric vehicle charging landscape.
Milence, officially known as Commercial Vehicle Charging Europe BV, is poised to revolutionize the European charging infrastructure landscape by rolling out 1,700 fast-charging points for heavy commercial vehicles within the next five years. This ambitious endeavor underscores a concerted effort by industry leaders to accelerate the transition towards sustainable transportation solutions, setting the stage for a paradigm shift in the commercial vehicle sector.
