The Road Directorate has just signed agreements with the private market to drive the rollout of new charging facilities for electric trucks. Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen stated in a press release from the Directorate that the momentum towards emission-free freight transport is gaining pace:
– The charging parks for electric trucks are coming faster than expected, and it’s great to see the transport sector supporting and significantly contributing to the green transition of the transport industry. A broad coalition in the Danish Parliament has allocated funds to push forward this development, which collectively means that the industry can rely on a network of charging parks, allowing them to invest in more electric trucks for Danish roads, says Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen (Venstre).
Listening to the industry
So far, the Road Directorate has signed agreements with three different private charging operators who will be responsible for the full establishment and operation of the first four out of five planned charging parks, set to open in 2025.
The decision to let the market take over was made after dialogue with the market, which expressed a desire to manage the development and establishment of the charging parks independently.
– We’ve had good discussions with the industry, and they are positive about our new strategy and the news of the first agreements. To a large extent, we’ve handed the ball to the private market, which will now be responsible for driving the rollout of charging infrastructure for heavy road transport, says Senior Project Manager at the Road Directorate, Kresten Lysholdt-Andersen.
Competition and better prices
The agreements require the individual charging operators to meet the requirements of the EU regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) for both the 2027 and 2030 rollouts. However, they are free to design and build the charging parks as they wish and on their own land. In return, the Road Directorate has agreed not to establish competing charging infrastructure in the designated areas.
Six charging points in Køge
The Road Directorate has been in dialogue with all known charging operators on the market and has sought to make agreements with as many as possible to ensure competition and better prices for users. Where agreements have not been made, the Road Directorate will step in to “top up” and ensure the remaining charging facilities through tenders. This means that the Road Directorate is offering six charging points in the charging park at Køge.
Initially, charging parks will be located near motorways around Randers, Herning, Vejle, Padborg, and Køge, with a completion target of the end of 2025. By 2027, there will also be a charging park for electric trucks in operation on Lolland.
So far, the Road Directorate has signed agreements with the charging operators Norlys, Circle K, and E.On Drive Infrastructure.
Facts about the Rollout of Charging Parks for Electric Trucks
- By 2030, 25 charging parks will be established with a total of at least 133 MW.
- The first five charging parks will open in 2025, while the remaining 20 will open in 2027 and 2030.
- Approximately 760 million DKK has been allocated for the rollout of charging infrastructure for electric trucks.
- According to an analysis by the Road Directorate, most of the future charging needs will be covered by home charging at individual hauliers’ facilities. Therefore, the 25 charging parks will be placed where demand is highest and where truck traffic converges on the main road network.
- This ensures that drivers will never be more than 60 kilometers from a fast charger on Denmark’s main road network.
Source: Vejdirektoratet
