The Technical University of Munich (TUM), along with industry and research partners, is making strides in developing battery-powered trucks for long-distance cargo transport.
A significant milestone in this journey is the introduction of megawatt charging technology.
On Friday, the first prototypes of this technology were showcased to the public at an event on the Plattling Technology Campus.
The event was attended by the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger.
This new charging post and truck can charge a battery enough for 4.5 hours of operation within the mandatory rest period for truck drivers, eliminating additional waiting time.
In Germany, about 70% of freight transport by volume and distance is done by road, mainly using diesel trucks.
This has a huge environmental impact, as 40% of the 148 million tons of CO2 emissions related to transport come from freight transport. Switching from diesel to electric power could significantly reduce these emissions.
The NEFTON research consortium, led by the Chair of Automotive Technology at TUM, is working on the necessary technical and infrastructure solutions.
Professor Markus Lienkamp, a leading researcher, highlighted the efficiency of battery-powered trucks.
He explained that these trucks have an efficiency of about 75%, which is much higher than fuel cell trucks at 26% and eFuels at 14%.
However, the infrastructure needed for electric trucks is still missing along major transport routes. The introduction of megawatt charging technology is a huge leap forward.
Dr. Frederik Zohm, a board member at MAN Truck & Bus, stated that with the NEFTON project, they have developed technologies that allow e-trucks to be charged rapidly at over 1,000 kW. The research focused on making these technologies practical, cost-effective, and compatible with the power grid.
Dr. Zohm emphasized that electric trucks combined with megawatt charging are the ideal solution for decarbonizing road freight transport. He called for close cooperation between policymakers, the energy sector, and vehicle manufacturers to expand the charging infrastructure.
Hubert Aiwanger, the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, praised the project. He noted that Bavarian high-tech and expertise are shaping the future of mobility. Initiatives like NEFTON will help decarbonize logistics and freight transport, enhancing the competitiveness of the Bavarian economy.
He thanked everyone involved in the project and highlighted the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) as a major milestone in the development of electromobility.
MAN has already demonstrated the practical viability of this technology and has contributed significantly to developing standards. The Bavarian state government is incorporating MCS technology into its funding program. The first round of funding will support 86 charge points, with more funding proposals expected in the late fall.
The NEFTON project has explored the use of electric trucks in real-world logistics. Working with four freight forwarding companies, the project analyzed various applications, from local distribution to long-distance transport.
The results show that for distribution and regional shipping, most charging can be done at the freight forwarder’s premises. However, long-distance operations will need a network of high-powered charging stations along highways.
The research suggests installing charging posts with a peak power of 1 megawatt every 50 km along major highways.
This could eliminate any time lost to charging. In experimental settings, charging outputs of up to 3 megawatts have been studied, which would increase flexibility, allow for smaller batteries, and reduce costs and environmental impact. The NEFTON project will continue to explore these future possibilities.
