- A major research project launched in Finland is setting the stage for a EU-wide shift in the capabilities of electric trucks.
- Started by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, this new ‘MACBETH’ (Multipoint megAwatt Charging for Battery Electric Truck Hubs) project will develop megawatt charging systems to enable more heavy-duty fleets to go electric right across the European Union.
- Backed by €10 million worth of EU funding, the four-year project brings together 19 organisations, including MAN Truck & Bus, Kempower, and more.
EU-backed project wants to further enable megawatt charging for electric trucks
At the core of the project will be two full-scale pilot charging hubs, helping to test ultra-rapid megawatt charging systems, in both heavy and medium-duty EVs, being used both privately and in professional transport. A key partner for this will be Kempower, who have already unveiled charging products such as the ‘Mega Satellite’ which is capable of delivering up to 1,200kW worth of charging power.
To even further reduce charging time and increase convenience for eHGV drivers, the project will also trial a robotised charging arm, led by hands-free charging specialists Rocsys.
The two full-scale pilot hubs will showcase hybrid charging stations. These sites will test high-power megawatt charging systems alongside conventional charging options, for both commercial and private vehicles. The goal is to gather real-world data to refine charging infrastructure, safety protocols, and operational workflows for multi-user environments.
This project also closely aligns with the EU’s ‘Green Deal’ target to cut transport-related emissions in the bloc by 90%, by 2050.
Yancho Todorov, Senior Scientist and Coordinator of the project at VTT, commented:
“To create a functional charging infrastructure, we need to investigate many aspects, including various charging hub designs, hardware systems, plug standards, safety-enabling robot technologies, as well as practical experiences of logistics companies in operating electric trucks. The project will also explore new business models for charging infrastructure.”
Ville Naumanen, Research Director at Kempower, added:
“We’re bringing crucial equipment and expertise to the table. Currently, megawatt charging infrastructure is very rare in Europe, and our technologies will be key to bridging this critical gap.”
