Can Megawatt Chargers Power Europe’s Freight Revolution?

EU-backed megawatt charging turns heavy trucks into fast-charging, zero-emission freight powerhouses

17 Jun 2025

Europe’s electrification of freight transport is moving into large-scale deployment as megawatt charging systems shift from pilot projects to operational networks backed by the European Union and major truckmakers.

The latest milestone came on June 16, when Milence and Volvo Trucks opened Europe’s first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) hub in Landvetter, Sweden. The development aims to remove one of the freight sector’s biggest barriers to decarbonisation: slow and inefficient charging.

Milence, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, TRATON Group and Volvo Group, is leading the rollout alongside the EU-funded MACBETH programme. Their objective is to make electric trucks as fast and dependable as diesel-powered fleets. Current systems can deliver about 1.4 megawatts of power, allowing heavy vehicles to recharge within 30 to 45 minutes, roughly matching a standard driver rest break.

Early installations are forming the first “electric corridors” across Europe, connecting major logistics sites such as the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Landvetter. These hubs are designed to serve multiple trucks simultaneously and integrate with regional energy grids using intelligent load-balancing software.

“Fast, reliable and scalable charging will make zero-emission transport the default choice,” said Anja van Niersen, chief executive of Milence. Analysts expect megawatt charging to cut fleet downtime by more than half and reduce overall operating costs, helping the EU progress toward its 2030 emissions goals.

Policymakers and manufacturers are also working to harmonise technical standards and strengthen grid infrastructure, key challenges as demand for high-capacity charging rises. EU funding and private investment are expected to expand the network over the next several years, creating an interoperable system across member states.

With the first commercial corridors now operational, Europe’s freight industry is entering a pivotal stage in its transition to clean energy. The continent’s highways may soon see heavy trucks powered by electricity rather than diesel, a shift that could redefine the economics and environmental footprint of European logistics.