E-Charge

The transport sector's contribution is crucial in the transition to a sustainable society. A key step in this process is to phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Powering our vehicles with electricity has been identified as a promising alternative, and the electrification of passenger cars is already underway. In the freight sector, several ongoing initiatives and operators are already utilizing electric vehicles for both urban and regional heavy transport. However, the electrification of heavy and long-haul transport presents several significant challenges, which the E-Charge project is now working to address.

E-Charge aims to research and test solutions for the critical challenges in enabling our long-haul transport to be conducted using battery-electric vehicles. Participating partners include vehicle manufacturers, academia, logistics operators, grid companies, energy companies, and fuel providers. This composition of partners enables a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges.

Testing in Real-World Logistics Flows

The project partners will conduct tests within commercial logistics operations in Sweden. The goal is to have Megawatt Charging System (MCS) charging stations operational during 2025, facilitating the gradual deployment of vehicles.

A crucial aspect for the project's success is the ability to charge vehicle batteries in compliance with current driving and rest time regulations. The structure of these regulations makes it appropriate for the project to plan for schedules where trucks operate for a maximum of 4.5 consecutive hours before the driver is required to take a break of at least 45 minutes. This necessitates a charging infrastructure capable of recharging the trucks during these breaks, and trucks equipped to receive this charge while stationary. To enable this, high-power charging – the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) – is currently under development.

This technology is being developed by Volvo, Scania, and ABB and will be deployed at public charging stations hosted by Circle K and OKQ8. CCS (Combined Charging System) charging will also be utilized at terminals where goods are loaded and unloaded.

Phase 1

In the project's initial phase (Phase 1), 14 partners are participating. Together, they are taking the initial steps to test all essential aspects required for electrifying long-haul heavy truck transport. New vehicles with higher battery capacity for extended ranges are being developed and implemented, charging interfaces are being advanced, MCS chargers are being installed, and research is being conducted to support the development and future expansion of both charging infrastructure and logistics flows.

Collectively, this creates a system demonstrator where new technologies are tested in real-world logistics flows. The learnings from Phase 1 will lay the groundwork for Phase 2, in which we will electrify a larger number of logistics flows transporting a wide variety of goods.

Within the project's framework, three MCS chargers will be installed by Circle K and OKQ8 in Järna, Vädermotet (Gothenburg), and Ödeshög. These locations are strategically situated along European routes, enabling electric transport across large parts of southern Sweden while adhering to driving and rest time regulations.

Logistics operators in Phase 1 include DB Schenker, ICA, and Tommy Nordbergh Åkeri, with DB Schenker being the first to test an extended logistics flow. They commenced their part of the demonstration in May 2024, operating between Jönköping and Södertälje with the support of CCS charging.

MCS-supported logistics flows are planned to commence during 2025.

Phase 2

In the project's second phase (Phase 2), we will scale up testing of electrified long-haul heavy truck transport. A total of 38 partners will collaborate in this phase, and the number of electrified long-haul logistics flows is set to increase significantly over the planned three-year project period. This upscaling will begin before Phase 1 is completed, demonstrating the industry's confidence in the technology and the commitment of numerous stakeholders to drive this essential development forward.

By expanding the system demonstrator, with a target of up to 200 trucks by the project's conclusion, we will accelerate the transition while significantly enhancing knowledge acquisition and dissemination through a larger consortium. Within this phase, we will also expand our research efforts, which will help all essential stakeholders make informed decisions and effectively implement electrification strategies.

The logistics flows planned to commence in Phase 2 will be diverse, both in terms of application and geographical scope. Partners transporting goods within the project framework will operate across large parts of southern Sweden, as well as extending into northern regions.

Research: A Key Project Component

The objective is to conduct research across virtually all areas related to the project's challenges. This ranges from vehicle energy consumption, the sizing of chargers and charging stations, and grid impact, to the effects on the overall logistics system. A key component involves developing models to describe and simulate the system, enabling the study of impacts during system upscaling.

The cost-effectiveness of the system is being studied, and the project also includes identifying and describing necessary or desirable policy and regulatory changes to facilitate the transition.

Academic research is conducted by the Swedish Electromobility Centre (SEC), through Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Lund University, and Uppsala University. Vattenfall contributes expertise on electricity grids and as an energy company.

The project aligns with the EU's objectives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty, long-haul transport and is relevant to the development of the European TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network).

Learn more about the research conducted within the project here!