The Milence electric truck charging joint venture, comprising Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group, has inaugurated its first charging location in Venlo, near the Dutch-German border. The site features four high-power charging (HPC) stations equipped with up to 400 kW of power, supplied by two HPC columns. Additional charging stations are planned to be added in the first quarter of 2024, expanding the facility.
Situated strategically for international trade, Venlo is identified as an ideal location for the development of Milence’s inaugural public charging network in Europe. The joint venture aims to establish secure truck parking areas with dedicated charging solutions for electric trucks. As part of its commitment to a heterogeneous shareholder structure, Milence intends to charge electric trucks of all brands, fostering agreements with multiple major e-mobility service providers.
Milence plans to incorporate ad-hoc payment solutions, offering a competitive introductory direct tariff of 40 cents per kWh (excluding VAT and transaction costs). The joint venture is determined to provide attractive, well-lit, and secure locations, with amenities catering to the needs of truck drivers. The Venlo site includes free access to toilets, round-the-clock availability of showers and laundry facilities, and an open restaurant from 8 am to 9 pm.
Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence, emphasized the significance of the Venlo charging hub in accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation. The joint venture’s goal is to operate the largest charging network for electric trucks in Europe, planning further hubs in Antwerp and Ghent, scheduled for 2024 and 2025, respectively. Milence aims to deploy a total of 1,700 charging points within five years, supported by hardware suppliers Alpitronic and Kempower.
The company envisions creating a reliable and inclusive charging network to contribute to the broader transition toward fossil-free transportation in Europe.
