Tender launched for fast-charging infrastructure for trucks

Wissing: We are moving the needle a long way forward in terms of decarbonising truck transport

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), Autobahn GmbH of the federal government and the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure today officially began the tendering process for the construction of a fast-charging network for trucks along federal motorways. The tender focusses on the planning, construction and operation of fast-charging infrastructure for battery-powered trucks and buses at approximately 130 unmanaged rest areas.

With a total of about 350 locations at unmanaged and managed rest areas along federal motorways, the fast-charging truck network will pave the way to a nationwide, demand-oriented and reliable charging network for heavy-duty battery-electric commercial vehicles and contribute substantially to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in road freight transport. The fast-charging truck network will comprise of around 4,200 charging points, including MCS and CCS charging points that meet the specific requirements of heavy goods transport.

Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport:
“With the fast-charging truck network, we are making huge progress in truck transport. We are creating a reliable infrastructure for e-trucks and travel buses on the motorways and therefore giving the industrial and transport sectors the necessary planning security to switch to electric mobility. The fast-charging network for trucks is essential to securing the future of the location of Germany as a logistics hub in the heart of Europe.”

Dr. Michael Güntner, Chairman of the Management Board of Autobahn GmbH of the federal government:
“With the launch of the tender for the fast-charging truck network, we are laying the groundwork for the future of mobility on German motorways. The tender shows that we are continuously developing the motorway network and focussing on new capacities. It’s a strong signal to Germany as a logistics hub, as well as the entire European transport industry.”

How does the tender procedure work?

The contract will be awarded in a multi-phase process that is conducted by Autobahn GmbH of the federal government. Companies that have the economic and technical capabilities to plan, construct and operate charging infrastructure are invited to participate in the negotiated procedure. The contract is anticipated to be awarded in the second half of 2025. The charging infrastructure is to be successively implemented until 2030. The grid connections required for the locations will be commissioned and installed parallel to the tender procedure in order to ensure they are put into operation as soon as possible.

Johannes Pallasch, Head and Spokesperson the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure, emphasizes:
“The launch of the tender signals the end of the planning phase and the beginning of the implementation phase. In the planning phase, we had a wealth of data at our fingertips, including truck toll data, on which basis we determined the design of the network and its individual locations. This gives rise to a network that not only more than fulfils the roll-out obligations of the AFIR, but orients itself towards the actual demands of heavy road freight transport.”

Autobahn GmbH of the federal government is responsible for the planning, building, operation, maintenance, financing, traffic management as well as the asset management of the federal motorways. As part of the Germany network of the federal government, the tender for almost 1,000 fast-charging points for cars at 200 unmanaged rest areas has already been successfully completed. Companies that are interested can get further information at https://ted.europa.eu/de and submit an application to take part in the procedure for setting up a fast-charging network for trucks at unmanaged rest areas along the federal motorways until 18/10/24, 12pm.

The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure, under the NOW GmbH umbrella, substantially assisted in preparing the tender, especially through analysis of the charging demand of e-trucks and the careful selection of suitable locations for the charging points.

Here is the project synopsis on the fast-charging truck network.