The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and Eurelectric have jointly raised the alarm regarding the urgent need for reform and substantial investment in Europes electricity grids. This initiative is aimed at facilitating the deployment of necessary charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) as the European Union (EU) advances its ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions within the transport sector.

The call to action comes in light of the EU's commitment to significantly boost the number of zero-emission trucks and buses by the year 2030. According to current CO₂ reduction targets, it is anticipated that as much as one-third of new HDV registrations will need to be classified as zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the end of the decade. This shift is crucial as the EU strives to meet its climate objectives and transition towards more sustainable transportation options.

However, the ACEA and Eurelectric have expressed serious concerns about the limitations inherent in the existing electrical grid infrastructure. They pointed out that prolonged permitting timelines and regulatory hurdles are hindering the timely rollout of the necessary charging facilities, specifically along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors and within vital urban and depot areas. Without addressing these challenges, the ambitious goals set for zero-emission HDVs may remain out of reach.

In their recently published position paper, the organizations emphasized the critical role of distribution system operators (DSOs) in the planning of grid systems. They advocate for a proactive, demand-driven approach to grid investments that takes into account the increasing number of zero-emission HDVs that are expected to hit the roads in the coming years. This approach is essential to ensure that the infrastructure can accommodate the growing fleet of electric vehicles effectively.

The paper outlines several key policy recommendations aimed at expediting the transition to electric HDVs. These recommendations include enhancing transparency through standardized grid capacity maps, simplifying the permitting processes, initiating anticipatory investments, and offering more flexible connection options for charging stations. Furthermore, the document stresses the importance of enabling megawatt charging systems (MCS) and aligning electricity pricing structures to ensure that electric HDVs remain competitive against traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

ACEA and Eurelectric are calling upon EU institutions and member states to take decisive action and provide the essential infrastructure needed to support a decarbonized future for road transport across Europe. It is imperative that a robust charging network is established to facilitate the transition towards zero-emission road transport.

Thomas Fabian, the chief commercial vehicle officer at ACEA, underscored the necessity of a well-structured charging network for heavy-duty vehicles, stating, A fit-for-purpose charging network for heavy-duty vehicles is essential to decarbonise road transport. But without a future-ready grid, this transition simply will not happen. We need the enabling conditions to be put in place to ensure an effective, efficient transition to zero-emission road transport across our continent.

ACEA represents a coalition of 16 prominent vehicle manufacturers based in Europe, including well-known brands such as BMW Group, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, and Honda Motor Europe, making their call for reform even more influential within the industry.

This article was first published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData-owned brand, under the title ACEA and Eurelectric urge immediate grid upgrades for heavy-duty EV transition.