Truck charging infrastructure in Germany
Heavy goods vehicles are responsible for a significant proportion of CO₂ emissions in the transport sector. In order to achieve Germany's climate protection targets, a rapid switch to emission-free commercial vehicles is crucial. A key prerequisite for this is an efficient charging infrastructure for e-trucks along the long-distance transport routes.
The federally owned NOW GmbH coordinates strategic programs for climate-friendly mobility on behalf of the federal government. Under its umbrella, the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure bundles the activities for the expansion of public charging infrastructure in Germany on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport. The aim is to quickly make electromobility marketable and create planning security for industry and logistics.
Charging scenarios: Where do battery-electric commercial vehicles charge?
Status quo of the public charging infrastructure in Germany
The truck charging infrastructure MONITORING dashboard provides an overview of the number of publicly accessible charging points for trucks in Germany (updated on a quarterly basis) as well as an outlook on future expansion as part of the planned truck fast charging network.
The number of publicly accessible charging locations for trucks in Germany shown in the dashboard corresponds to the feedback received to date from the operators of truck charging infrastructure from the survey conducted by the National Charging Infrastructure Control Center, which is carried out tertially for the end of April (T1), end of August (T2) and end of December (T3). Only charging points that have already been put into operation are included in the inventory.
The installed charging capacity is calculated based on the charging station. This corresponds to the minimum of the nominal power of the charging station and the sum of the maximum charging power of its charging points.
A special feature of truck charging infrastructure is the dimensioning of the associated parking space. In the dashboard, only those publicly accessible truck charging points are displayed whose parking space is at least 16.5 m long, so that the permitted length of a semi-trailer truck (tractor unit and trailer) can be accommodated there (Section 32 (4) No. 2 StVZO).
What advantages do e-trucks offer for logistics?
Toll-free until 2031 - significant cost advantage
Electric trucks are exempt from the truck toll until the end of June 2031. This significantly reduces operating costs, especially in long-distance transport.
GHG quota increases - long-term economic benefits
The greenhouse gas reduction quota (GHG quota) is set to increase significantly by 2040. This will make emission-free drives even more economically attractive and strategically important.
Integrate charging during operation - without additional downtime
E-trucks are charged where they are parked anyway - in the depot, during loading and unloading or during breaks. Separate refueling stops are no longer necessary.
Truck charging infrastructure in depots
The transition to electromobility is a key step towards reducing emissions in the transport sector and promoting sustainable logistics. Depot charging plays a key role in the heavy commercial vehicle sector in particular. Logistics companies that make an early start on the transition are positioning themselves strategically for the coming years and securing their competitiveness.
Charging at the depot makes it possible to charge electric trucks efficiently and reliably directly on the company's premises while the vehicles are not in use. Charging at depots and depots therefore plays a central role in the use of e-trucks. In addition, the shared use of charging infrastructure by logistics companies, for example in business parks or logistics hubs, must be considered as a relevant use case.
The report published in November 2023 Guide „Simply charge at the depot“ helps companies with truck fleets to get started with electromobility and supports the transformation process towards low-emission logistics. In three chapters, the guide explains key technical terms, provides examples of the process from planning to operating the charging infrastructure at the depot and looks at the economic aspects of the transition. The individual sections contain answers to the key questions and provide practical tips.
The guideline is also based on the findings of the Depot Charging Task Force of the BMWi (now: BMWK), NOW GmbH and the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure as part of the Overall concept for climate-friendly commercial vehicles was formed. A total of around 60 representatives from 40 organizations and companies took part in the six-month task force process.
Published in May 2026 Quick guide to setting up charging infrastructure for battery-powered trucks at the depot is based on the 2023 guidelines and is aimed specifically at logistics and transport companies that want to electrify their fleets. It offers comprehensible and practical orientation - from determining requirements on paper to operating the charging infrastructure in daily practice.
To the guide „Simply charge at the depot“ (2023)
To the quick guide „Truck charging infrastructure in the depot“ (2026)
Loading technology for trucks
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) applies in addition to the Combined Charging System (CCS) as the future global charging standard for heavy commercial vehicles. While CCS currently dominates the market and already enables charging capacities of up to 400 kW, MCS is still in the standardization and development phase. The standard is expected to be completed in the near future. At the same time, the first CPOs are beginning to set up and test MCS charging infrastructure. The first OEMs will be delivering MCS-capable series vehicles from mid-2026. Further models will follow with orders starting in summer and production beginning in fall 2026.
MCS will enable significantly higher charging capacities in future in the range of up to 3.75 MW (at up to 3,000 A and 1,250 V) and therefore considerably shorter charging times. CCS remains particularly relevant for depot charging and intermediate charging with lower power requirements.
The main area of application for MCS will be public interim charging during the legally prescribed break times (45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving). Thanks to the high charging power, significant ranges can be recharged during this time.
As part of the Tender for the truck fast-charging network both MCS and CCS charging points are designed for charging vehicles on the left-hand side. The left-hand arrangement takes into account the current vehicle concepts of many manufacturers, in which the charging connections are predominantly positioned on the left-hand side of the vehicle. The design enables efficient integration of the charging infrastructure at service areas.
In the BMV-funded project „High-performance loading in long-distance truck transport“ (HoLa) megawatt charging of heavy commercial vehicles is being tested under real conditions in logistics operations. The project is being carried out as part of the implementation of the overall concept of climate-friendly commercial vehicles. This involves active testing of vehicles, charging hardware and infrastructure. The project thus serves as an important test and validation case for OEMs, hardware manufacturers and infrastructure operators. The findings are essential for the establishment of long-distance transport locations and also form the basis for an initial charging infrastructure network.
Further projects for e-trucks
All major manufacturers of commercial vehicles have announced battery-electric series models for the coming years. The development of the necessary charging infrastructure poses a particular challenge: Even before the broad market ramp-up of the vehicles, open questions regarding the design of the infrastructure must be identified and answered, while at the same time the nationwide expansion must already be initiated.
In various projects and initiatives, NOW GmbH and the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure are therefore working together with the industry and the BMV to create the technical, legal and economic basis to enable uniform and practical planning for the installation of charging infrastructure for heavy commercial vehicles. The knowledge gained will be incorporated into the control center's plans for expanding the charging infrastructure.
The website www.klimafreundliche-nutzfahrzeuge.de offers a central point of contact for all information on funding programs, alternative drive systems and practical knowledge on converting commercial vehicle fleets.