Milence, a mega charging joint venture involving Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, and Traton, has been commissioned by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to build two heavy-duty charging hubs. The ambitious project aims to provide 30 truck charging points by spring, with potential plans for further expansion.
The initial phase of construction is currently underway at the Goordijk and Ketenis truck parks, and the two hubs are set to open in May 2024. These hubs will house 15 CCS chargers with an output of up to 400 kW each. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges remains open to the prospect of increasing the charging options, with Milence expressing a commitment to transition to Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technology once available.
Milence, in collaboration with Hitachi Energy, is showcasing a prototype MCS charging system at the Solutrans show in Lyon, France. The prototype, targeted to deliver a charging capacity of 1,000 A, aims to charge heavy-duty trucks in 30 to 40 minutes, providing sufficient power for a 500-kilometer range in accordance with mandatory driving breaks. The technology incorporates ISO 15118-20 communication protocols.
In addition to the project in Antwerp-Bruges, Milence is preparing to launch its first truck charging hub in the Dutch town of Venlo by the end of November 2023. This hub is part of Milence’s broader plan to establish a European fast-charging network for heavy commercial vehicles, with a goal of installing 1,700 charging points within five years by the end of 2027.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges highlights the significance of Milence’s network in creating green corridors for road transport, connecting key logistics hubs, major ports, and airports. The port, being the second-largest seaport in Europe, emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and safety, ensuring that the charging hubs prioritize driver comfort with fenced areas, illumination, camera surveillance, Wi-Fi, sanitary facilities, and vending machines for snacks and drinks.
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Milence’s charging hubs will also benefit from locally produced renewable energy, generated through solar panels and wind turbines. Anja van Niersen, CEO at Milence, sees this agreement as the beginning of a new era in sustainable transport, emphasizing the joint commitment to green logistics and clean energy for heavy-duty road transport.
Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the board of directors of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, acknowledges the essential role of truck parks in electric truck transport and views the port as the economic engine of Flanders, expressing the importance of its sustainability and electrification efforts.
