The Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and the TRATON GROUP completed the final step in forming their previously announced joint venture for charging infrastructure in Europe. The new joint venture, with Anja van Niersen as CEO, is expected to have a significant role in supporting the European Union’s Green Deal for carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050.

The joint venture (JV) plans to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charge points on, and close to, highways as well as at logistics hubs across Europe. The JV will provide charging stations for all battery electric heavy-duty vehicle fleet operators.

The JV intends to take a catalyzing role as a charge point operator in the value chain by installing and managing charging stations for heavy-duty trucks and coaches. It will be a self-standing legal entity, operating under its own corporate identity and based in Amsterdam. As the leader of the new company van Niersen will bring with her experience from the energy and charging industry sector, most recently serving as CEO and later as chairman of the board of a major European electric vehicle charging network provider.

“This is a long-awaited and major step towards achieving the required charging infrastructure for the roll-out and success of battery-electric long-haul trucks and coaches,” Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of Volvo Group, said. “We are making what would be impossible for one actor alone to accomplish. This strong partnership is a significant milestone and accelerator towards carbon neutral transport in Europe by 2050.”

“We are very excited to kick off this new joint venture together with our partners.” Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck, said. “It is crucial that we are now taking the initiative for building up the much-needed charging network. Still, we call on the entire industry to join in our effort. The number of charge points has to increase significantly as fast as possible to make electric long-haul trucking a viable solution for our customers.”

“To find the best solutions for the climate challenge is our most urgent priority as an industry and as the Traton Group,” Christian Levin, CEO of Traton Group, said. “When we talk to customers about electric trucks, they always ask, ‘Where can we charge?’ To support as fast as possible, we are teaming up and from today on kick-starting the European charging network. With Anja van Niersen, this JV has a CEO with a great deal of experience in setting up charging networks. Anja and her team will support the important journey to enable further progress of sustainable transport.”