New Guide Aims to Streamline Electric Truck Charging Infrastructure

Imagine a world where fluctuating fuel prices no longer cause anxiety, where pungent exhaust fumes are replaced by smooth electric propulsion, offering a cleaner and more efficient transportation experience. This is not a distant future but a reality being shaped by electric trucks today. As the transportation industry accelerates toward electrification, new concepts and terminology are emerging.

The familiar "liters per 100 kilometers" will soon give way to "kilowatt-hours per kilometer" (kWh/km). Instead of tracking diesel prices, operators will focus on the cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Fuel efficiency will fade into history, replaced by energy efficiency as the new benchmark.

Terms like "kilowatt," "kilowatt-hour," and "megawatt" may sound unfamiliar now, but they will soon become as commonplace as your favorite truck stop or radio channel. This article demystifies electric truck charging, explains key terminology, and provides real-world examples to illustrate how these vehicles operate.

• Kilowatt (kW): A unit of power, similar to horsepower (1 kW ≈ 1.341 hp). Watts (W) are calculated as amps (A) multiplied by volts (V), and 1 kW equals 1,000 watts. In electric vehicles, kW typically refers to charging power, which determines charging speed, or the vehicle's power output while driving. Current electric trucks usually have a maximum power output between 300 and 500 kW, equivalent to roughly 400 to 675 hp.
• Megawatt (MW): Equal to 1,000 kW, this term is often used when discussing Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS), explained below.
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A measure of energy usage or storage. It represents 1 kW of power sustained for one hour. Most passenger cars have battery capacities between 50 and 100 kWh, while current heavy-duty electric trucks range from 250 to 600 kWh.
• Combined Charging System (CCS): The most common charging standard for electric vehicles in Europe, including both passenger cars and trucks. Most CCS chargers deliver between 50 and 400 kW.
• Megawatt Charging System (MCS): A new charging standard designed for heavy-duty applications like trucks, ships, and industrial equipment. MCS can deliver up to 3.75 MW (3,750 kW) and is expected to become commercially available by 2024.

To better understand how electric truck charging works in practice, let’s follow Joost, a Dutch truck driver. Joost operates a 40-ton electric truck, transporting goods between Rotterdam’s port and a warehouse near Cologne, Germany—a round trip of about 500 km.

Joost’s truck has a usable battery capacity of 400 kWh and supports CCS charging up to 375 kW. He starts his day in Rotterdam with a fully charged battery, having charged overnight. Even with a relatively low-power 50 kW charger, an 8-hour charging session easily replenishes the battery (50 kW × 8 hours = 400 kWh).

After loading his cargo, Joost departs at 7:00 a.m. for the 250 km trip to Cologne. He maintains an average speed of 80 km/h but encounters some traffic delays, arriving at 10:30 a.m. with 25% battery remaining. His efficiency is 1.2 kWh/km, meaning the truck consumed 300 kWh (250 km × 1.2 kWh/km) and has 100 kWh left.

After unloading and reloading for the return trip, Joost prepares to leave at noon. Since his truck needs charging, he stops at a Milence charging station for a 45-minute break. Plugging into a 350 kW CCS charger, he enjoys lunch while the truck regains over 250 kWh (350 kW × 0.75 hours = 262 kWh), providing enough energy for the journey back to Rotterdam.

Joost arrives in Rotterdam by 4:00 p.m., avoiding peak traffic, and leaves the truck to charge overnight.

Important Note: Charging speed is typically determined by the vehicle, not the charger. If a truck’s maximum charging rate is 250 kW, even a 350 kW charger will only deliver 250 kW. Conversely, if a truck supports 250 kW but connects to a 150 kW charger, it will charge at the lower rate.

While many transport applications are already electrifying, Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) will make long-haul electric trucking more viable. By 2024, MCS-compatible trucks will emerge, with charging stations deployed across Europe. To glimpse the future of long-distance electric trucking, let’s follow Susanna, a Swedish truck driver.

Susanna works for a Stockholm-based logistics company, making twice-weekly 1,200 km round trips between Stockholm and Malmö. Her 40-ton truck has a 600 kWh battery and supports MCS charging at an average rate of 800 kW.

She departs Stockholm at 8:00 a.m. with a full charge. Her first stop is Jönköping, 320 km south. Due to cold weather, her efficiency drops to 1.3 kWh/km, consuming 420 kWh and leaving 30% battery upon arrival at noon. During her mandatory 45-minute break, she plugs into an MCS charger, replenishing 420 kWh in just over 30 minutes (800 kW × 0.525 hours).

Susanna resumes her journey at 12:45 p.m., covering the remaining 300 km to Malmö by 5:00 p.m. After unloading, she parks at a secure Milence charging station overnight, using a low-power charger while resting in her cabin.

The next morning, she begins her return trip with a full charge, stopping again in Jönköping to recharge.

Important Note: While MCS can deliver up to 3.75 MW, most trucking applications will only require 800 kW to 1.5 MW for optimal efficiency.