Volvo, Daimler and the Traton Group get together to build European charging network for e-trucks

Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and the Traton Group (MAN, Scania) will cooperate in order to accelerate the creation of a high-performance charging network in Europe that may enhance customer confidence and support EU’s transformation to climate-neutral transportation.

The very significant announcement came jointly from the three major manufacturers and paves new ways for the future of mobility, indeed. Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and the Traton Group have signed a non-binding agreement that lays the foundation of a future joint venture equally owned by the three parties, planning to start operations in 2022. 

At least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points

According to the joint and official statement released this morning (July 5), «the parties intend to invest together 500 million Euros to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points close to highways as well as at logistic and destination points, within five years from the establishment of the joint venture. The number of charging points is with time intended to be increased significantly by seeking additional partners as well as public funding. The future joint venture is planned to operate under its own corporate identity and be based in Amsterdam, Netherlands».

The future joint venture will act as catalyst and enabler for realizing the European Union’s Green Deal for a carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050, both by providing the necessary infrastructure and targeting for green energy at the charging points.

Volvo, Daimler and the Traton Group: the CEOs speaking

«We are laying the necessary foundation in making a break-through for our customers to make the transformation to electrification by creating a European charging network leader. We have powerful electromobility technologies, and now, with Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP and thanks to the European Green Deal, also an industry-wide understanding as well as a political environment to make fundamental progress towards sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions», said Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group.

«It is the joint aim of Europe’s truck manufacturers to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. However, it is vital that building up the right infrastructure goes hand in hand with putting CO2-neutral trucks on the road. Together with Volvo Group and the TRATON GROUP, we are therefore very excited to take this pioneering step to establish a high-performance charging network across Europe», added Martin Daum, CEO Daimler Truck.

«For the TRATON GROUP, it is clear that the future of transport is electric. This requires the rapid development of publicly accessible charging points, especially for long-distance heavy-duty transport. We are now moving forward together with our partners Daimler Truck and Volvo Group to make this high-performance network a reality as quickly as possible», stated Matthias Gründler, CEO TRATON GROUP.