A collaboration between Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and TRATON GROUP, the joint venture Milence officially inaugurated its first electric truck charging center in France on April 18.

The joint venture Milence, born in the summer of 2022 from the collaboration between Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and TRATON GROUP, is committed to accelerating the transition to electric road transport and is deploying the first large-scale public electric charging network in Europe for heavy trucks and buses.

After announcing the conclusion of an agreement with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium at the end of first logistics charging hub in Venlo, Netherlands, Milence announced in March 2023 the deployment of its first charging hub in France.

Heudebouville, in the Eure department, near the Rouen metropolitan area, was chosen for this site. According to Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence: "This charging site is strategically located in the heart of a major logistics area in northern France, between Paris and Le Havre. We are seeing an increasing market demand for a reliable charging network for electric heavy trucks in Europe. With the Rouen charging center and our upcoming roadmap, our project to establish high-performance green corridors, open to all vehicles, is taking shape more and more."

Development in Two Phases at the Rouen Site

• The first phase, directly linked to the opening of the Rouen charging center, will involve the provision of 4 CCS (Combined Charging System) chargers, each delivering up to 400 kW of charging power. The site will also feature the iconic Milence arch, as well as additional facilities to allow drivers to recharge, such as restrooms, showers, and a restaurant (not managed by Milence).
• The second phase will include additional charging stations. Milence also plans to install its first MCS (Megawatt Charging System) chargers during this phase.

Anja van Niersen concluded: "The development of the Rouen site is part of this network expansion across Europe. By accelerating the transition to fossil-free road transport, Milence is committed to placing people at the heart of its activity. The sustainable solutions we develop are designed to offer truck drivers an optimal resting and charging experience. We intend to expand our network with several key sites, some of which are already under contract and in development. All the sites are strategically located along key logistics routes."