First charging corridor for E-Trucks launched

Aral, in partnership with the German government, has launched the first charging corridor for battery-powered trucks in Europe. The corridor, located in Bensheim, Germany, spans over 600 kilometers and comprises of eight 300 kW charging stations that are well-lit and safe for heavy-duty vehicles. Six of the stations are currently active, with two more set to be added in Bad Honnef and Cologne in the coming months.

The Rhine-Alpine corridor, which the charging stations are located on, is a heavily-traveled logistics route that connects the Rhine-Neckar and Rhine-Main areas with the Rhine-Ruhr region and other areas. At the Aral pulse stations, trucks can charge up to 200 km during the 45-minute legal driver stop, with over 20 trucks able to use green electricity per day. Passenger cars can also use these charging stations.

Alexander Junge, Aral Board Member for E-Mobility, said that while the discussion around e-mobility is currently focused on the passenger car sector, medium and heavy-duty traffic is also at a turning point. He said the first European charging corridor is an important milestone in this transition, as it enables electric trucks to charge on the road rather than having to return to their home depot for charging.

The German truck fleet comprises of over 3.5 million vehicles, with the number continuing to grow. However, the majority still have combustion engines despite Germany’s efforts to promote hydrogen and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Daimler Truck has been on the market since 2021 with the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros for heavy distribution transport. The eActros LongHaul for long-distance transport is scheduled to be ready for series production in 2024. The company worked closely with Aral to provide truck drivers with the necessary access and a comfortable charging experience.