The challenges of charging infrastructure for electric trucks

The electrification of road freight transport is becoming an essential lever in the energy transition. But while the ambitions are high, so are the obstacles. At the heart of the transformation: the recharging infrastructure for electric trucks, a technical, economic and strategic challenge that companies can no longer ignore. Unlike light vehicles electric trucks require tailor-made recharging solutions capable of withstanding high power levels and intensive use. Against a backdrop of increasing numbers of EPZs and mounting regulatory pressure, it is urgent to lay the foundations for a robust, interoperable recharging network tailored to the realities of heavy-duty transport.

What you need to know about the challenges of HGV recharging

The electrification of heavy goods vehicles is an essential lever in the energy transition of road transport. However, this will not be possible without ambitious, structured and specific deployment of charging infrastructures. Unlike light-duty vehicles, electric trucks and buses are subject to major technical, logistical and energy constraints. This article explores these challenges and highlights the levers of action available to companies.

To remember:

• Charging infrastructures for heavy goods vehicles cannot be shared with those for light vehicles: they require high power ratings, appropriate layout and dedicated logistics.
• Investments can be optimized through tailor-made approaches and public-private partnerships, relying on players like Bump to manage the project from A to Z.
• European examples show that large-scale deployment is possible, provided that needs are anticipated, equipment is standardized and energy is integrated into fleet strategies.

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An infrastructure designed for light vehicles: a model sometimes unsuited to heavy goods vehicles

The deployment of vehicle electrification has so far focused on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. But transposing this model to the world of heavy-duty road transport is more complicated. The constraints are radically different, and current infrastructures sometimes show their limits when it comes to electric trucks.

Greater energy requirements

An electric truck consumes three to five times more energy than a light vehicle over the same distance. This means that conventional charging stations, even DC ones, are still unsuitable. We're talking here about recharging capacities of over 1 MW, compared with 50 to 150 kW for cars. In other words, electric trucks require charging stations designed specifically for them, with a robust energy architecture, direct connection to the high-voltage grid and infrastructure capable of handling large peaks in demand.

This energy requirement also implies optimized recharging times. Where a light vehicle can afford a slow or semi-rapid recharge, road transport cannot tolerate any logistical delays. Every minute of downtime is costly. This calls for high-power charging stations, as well as intelligent planning of recharging times to avoid disrupting delivery schedules.

Connector standardization and compatibility

Another challenge is the lack of standardization in charging connectors. The development of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS ) aims to create a universal connector for heavy-duty electric vehicles, capable of withstanding high loads. This standardization is crucial to ensure compatibility between different vehicles and charging stations, thus facilitating the widespread adoption of these technologies.

Specific space and accessibility constraints

Another major difference is the space required to accommodate trucks. A truck recharging station must allow several articulated or straight vehicles to maneuver, line up or even recharge at the same time. This calls for larger sites, fluid logistics, and special facilities to ensure safe truck entry and exit.

A power grid under pressure: towards the risk of saturation?

Behind every ultra-powerful charging station for electric trucks lies an invisible but fundamental challenge: the power supply. And on this point, a major challenge lies ahead, requiring coordination, planning and innovation.

Energy infrastructures to be strengthened

The arrival of electric trucks on French roads is accompanied by much higher energy consumption than that of light vehicles. Where an electric car draws an average of 7 to 22 kW when recharging, an electric truck requires up to 20 times more. This inevitably puts a strain on electrical infrastructures, particularly in industrial and logistics zones, where truck density is highest.

The major challenge? Anticipating consumption peaks and avoiding local overloads. Grid operators like Enedis now have to work hand in hand with charging operators and transport companies to deploy intelligent solutions: load shedding, temporary storage, deferred charging... all to guarantee grid stability while ensuring the continuity of fleet operations.

The need for public-private coordination

The electrification of road haulage cannot succeed without close collaboration between public and private players. It's not just a question of installing terminals, but of rethinking the way energy is transported, stored and used. Operators like Bump, with their turnkey approach, facilitate this transition by taking charge of connection work, electrical sizing, energy optimization and even obtaining subsidies.

Thanks to its cutting-edge expertise, Bump is already supporting customers in large-scale projects, where infrastructure is seen as a performance lever rather than a constraint. This ability to adapt, coupled with high-powered recharging solutions, means that transport companies can get through the transition calmly and sustainably.

A complex economic equation for transport companies

The electrification of truck fleets is more than just the purchase of electric trucks. It's a systemic transformation, with major financial impacts linked to recharging infrastructure. For fleet managers, every decision must balance profitability, operational performance and alignment with climate objectives. But despite the initial investments, the long-term benefits are very real for those who know how to anticipate.

Investment costs and return on investment

There's no denying that the initial costs of purchasing electric trucks and setting up truck recharging infrastructures can hold back some players in the sector. An electric truck can cost up to twice as much as a diesel equivalent, and the work involved in installing suitable charging stations can be very costly, especially in the absence of a prior study or proper sizing.

But it would be a strategic mistake to stop there. The operating costs of an electric truck are significantly lower: less maintenance, greater stability in energy prices, and above all easier access to EPZs, where diesel trucks are increasingly restricted. By working with operators like Bump, companies can also control their budgets through tailored financing packages, such as energy leasing or PPA contracts, thus reducing the barrier to entry.

Economic value of the sustainable approach

In addition to direct savings, companies that invest in the electrification of their truck fleets also benefit from a stronger brand image. At a time when customers and principals are demanding cleaner supply chains, a low-carbon strategy is becoming a competitive advantage.

What's more, public subsidies are multiplying in France and Europe: purchase subsidies, infrastructure financing, tax exemptions... These schemes considerably reduce the overall cost of the project, making the switch to electric much more accessible. Bump, thanks to its regulatory expertise, helps its customers activate these levers to optimize return on investment from the very first year.

Why infrastructures for heavy goods vehicles cannot be modelled on those for light vehicles

The mistake would be to think that existing infrastructures for passenger cars are sufficient to meet the needs of heavy goods vehicles. In reality, technical, logistical and operational constraints call for a completely different approach.

Space, power and logistics requirements

An electric truck is not just a "big vehicle": it's a mobile platform with a very high energy capacity. It requires specific charging stations, designed to accommodate vehicles weighing several dozen tonnes, with tight turning radii and significant manoeuvrability constraints. The areas must be wide, robust and accessible 24 hours a day, often with a drive-through to avoid U-turns.

On the energy front, too, the gap is immense: a fleet of trucks can require several megawatts of instantaneous power, equivalent to the consumption of an entire neighborhood. This level of demand requires heavy connections, often at high voltage, dedicated transformer stations and a rethought network architecture. In other words, it's a far cry from the 22 kW charging station installed in a supermarket parking lot.

Usage constraints highly specific to road transport

Heavy-duty vehicles have very rigid operating imperatives: long routes, strict delivery schedules, regulated break times. This calls for short recharging times, perfectly integrated into the vehicle's availability windows. A slow or poorly located terminal can jeopardize an entire logistics chain.

This is where Bump comes in, with its operational vision of the field. The company designs stations designed for transport: ultra-fast charging stations, intelligent recharging systems, remote supervision, integration into fleet management software... Their approach is performance and reliability oriented, taking into account the realities of the business.

Intermediate conclusion? Charging heavy goods vehicles cannot simply be an adaptation of the LV model. It requires a total reinvention of infrastructures, at the crossroads of technical, economic and logistical issues. And the players capable of understanding this complexity will be the ones to come out on top.

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