The Milence Electric Truck Charging Joint Venture, a collaboration between Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group, is set to inaugurate its premier charge park located south of Rouen. Expected to commence operations in April, this hub marks a significant milestone in the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure.
Initially, the facility will be equipped with four cutting-edge Combined Charging Systems (CCS) chargers, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW of charging power. As part of a subsequent phase, Milence plans to incorporate additional chargers, including its pioneering Megawatt Charging System (MSC) chargers. However, specific details regarding the number of additional chargers and the timeline for their installation remain undisclosed.
Positioned in Heudebouville, a mere four-minute drive from the A13 motorway, the charge park enjoys a strategic location approximately halfway between Paris and Le Havre, a pivotal logistics hub in the Normandy Region.
Notably, the facility will be accessible to electric trucks from all manufacturers. Furthermore, Milence has confirmed the provision of additional amenities for drivers, such as rest areas featuring toilets, showers, and a restaurant. It’s important to note that the restaurant will be independently operated and not managed by Milence.
Commenting on the initiative, Milence CEO Anja van Niersen stated, “We recognize the increasing demand in the market for a dependable charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty vehicles across Europe. The establishment of the charging hub in Rouen, alongside our future plans, is a crucial step towards creating high-performance green corridors accessible to all vehicles.”
Milence inaugurated its inaugural site in Venlo, located on the Dutch-German border, at the conclusion of last year. This location boasts four charge points for electric trucks, serviced by two High-Performance Charging (HPC) columns offering up to 400 kW of power each. The first quarter of 2024 will see the addition of four more charging stations at the Venlo site. Furthermore, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has enlisted Milence to construct two heavy-duty charging hubs, with plans to offer 30 truck charging points by spring and considerations for future expansion already underway.
Operating under the official title of Commercial Vehicle Charging Europe BV, Milence aims to establish a rapid-charging network across Europe for heavy commercial vehicles, including long-haul trucks and coaches, on behalf of its parent companies Daimler Truck, Traton, and the Volvo Group. The consortium aims to install 1,700 such charging points within the next five years, culminating by the end of 2027.
