Aral with first fast charging station for trucks

Fast-charging stations for cars are now a common sight in cities. For trucks, however, a corresponding offer is largely missing. Aral is now beginning to change this situation: In Rhineland-Palatinate, the company is putting the first two 300-kW fast-charging columns for e-trucks into operation.

Charging station on the B9

The two fast-charging columns were set up at the Aral service station in Schwegenheim. This is located on the B9 and thus at a traffic junction that connects the German-French border area with the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. According to Aral, the charging stations are powered by 100 percent renewable energy, are well lit and supply an e-truck with enough electricity for 150 to 200 kilometers within 45 minutes.

The offer is thereby aligned with the legal requirements for truck drivers: After four and a half hours of driving, a break of at least 45 minutes must be taken and logged. At the Aral service station, this break can be spent charging the truck and using numerous additional services. For example, sanitary facilities and access to food and beverages are available.

Supply of e-trucks is low

Nevertheless, an excessive rush to the two fast-charging stations should not be expected. While the supply of e-cars has increased sharply in recent years, e-trucks are not all that common. Last year, for example, just around 1,000 such vehicles were sold in Germany. However, it is generally expected that the share of e-trucks will increase significantly in the coming years. Sales of 150,000 vehicles are expected in Europe by 2030. Germany is considered to be the main market for the electrically powered trucks. Aral’s decision to install fast-charging stations can be seen not only as a contribution to the creation of an appropriate infrastructure, which is lacking, but also as a response to growing interest.