Old Batteries, New Power: Europe’s Truck Charging Fix

Reused EV batteries are helping truck fleets sidestep grid limits, cut costs, and roll out fast charging sooner across Europe

19 Jan 2026

Europe’s push toward electric heavy-duty trucks is picking up speed. The biggest brake is not the vehicles themselves. It is the power grid.

As fleets expand, depots and logistics hubs are hitting hard limits on electricity connections. Upgrading those links can take years and millions in investment. Faced with that reality, operators are turning to an unexpected fix. Second-life electric vehicle batteries are stepping in to bridge the gap.

Battery storage firms such as Connected Energy are at the center of this shift. Instead of relying only on newly built cells, they are repurposing batteries retired from cars, buses, and vans. These packs may no longer deliver long driving ranges, but they still hold plenty of usable energy. At truck depots, they charge during off-peak hours and release power when multiple trucks plug in at once. The result is lower peak demand and less stress on local networks.

The appeal is as much about timing as it is about cost. High-power truck chargers often trigger long planning processes and expensive grid upgrades. For fleets under pressure from emissions rules and unpredictable fuel prices, delays can derail electrification plans. Second-life storage offers a faster route, allowing operators to scale charging without waiting on the grid.

Supply is beginning to catch up. As electric buses and commercial vehicles reach midlife, more used batteries are becoming available. Regulators are also pushing for better use of battery assets across their full lifespan, improving the economics. Companies like Zenobe are combining commercial installations with pilot projects that link fleet charging to grid services, including peak shaving and energy balancing.

The model is not without risk. Battery quality varies, and long-term performance must be carefully tracked. Insurers and investors still want stronger datasets on safety and durability. Confidence is growing, though, as projects expand and real-world evidence accumulates. Early installations show that many second-life systems can retain more than 70% of their original capacity.

What began as a sustainability idea is turning into a practical tool. For Europe’s electric truck sector, reused batteries are no longer just about waste reduction. They are helping fleets charge sooner, spend less, and build a more resilient energy backbone for the road ahead.