- Milence, Daimler Truck, MAN Truck & Bus and Scania demonstrate just how fast electric trucks can be charged
- MCS fast charging is a key enabler for the further scaling of electric mobility
- Full charging of trucks during the rest break is now possible
Amsterdam, Netherlands / Hannover, Germany – September 14, 2026 – Milence, the leading charge point operator for electric heavy duty vehicles was joined by Daimler Truck, MAN Truck & Bus and Scania for a demonstration of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) on Press Day at IAA TRANSPORTATION, showing how quickly battery-electric commercial vehicles could be charged in the future.
Vehicle batteries were charged to 80% or fully charged within the legally mandated driver rest breaks of 30 to 45 minutes scheduled for long-haul operations. MCS charging takes electric truck charging performance to a new level.
The demonstration provided an impressive example of how fast and straightforward charging electric trucks could become. The demonstration once again shows that the industry is not only already producing innovative, high-performance, climate-neutral commercial vehicles, but is also actively advancing the transition to electric mobility across all areas.
This live charging provides also an opportunity to further advance interoperability and prepare the technology for widespread commercial deployment. At the same time, customers can experience first-hand how MCS charging can be integrated into real-world operations and support the transition to battery-electric vehicles in long-haul transport.
High-performance technology & intelligent energy management
The charging point provided by Milence combines state-of-the-art charging technology with intelligent energy management, demonstrating how high-performance charging infrastructure can be deployed even at locations with limited grid capacity.
The installation uses Alpitronic’s HYC1000 megawatt charging system, delivering charging power of up to 1,000 kW. The solution is complemented by a Pixii PowerBase XLP battery energy storage system (BESS) with up to 1MW of power and 2 MWh of storage capacity.
Expansion of charging infrastructure is crucial
The publicly accessible charging network for heavy-duty commercial vehicles continues to grow across Europe. More than 2.000 charging points are available across the continent. Milence plays a leading role in this development, with almost 40 charging hubs already operational across nine markets.
By the end of 2027, Milence plans to expand its network to 70 charging hubs, with more than half expected to support MCS technology. The key priorities now are scaling up and significantly accelerating infrastructure deployment.
“Megawatt Charging is ready for real-world electric trucking today. At IAA TRANSPORTATION, we are demonstrating interoperable megawatt charging across trucks from different manufacturers, showing that MCS technology is ready to support the next phase of electric long-haul transport. Now Europe needs to accelerate and scale charging infrastructure along its key freight corridors, so that this technology can deliver its full potential and support the transition to zero-emission road transport.”
Anja van Niersen, Chief Executive Officer of Milence
“MCS charging technology is the key to the cost-effectiveness and widespread adoption of battery-electric lorries in long-haul transport. With charging times shorter than the driver’s rest break, the MAN eTGX can achieve daily ranges of over 1,000 kilometres within the same working hours as a diesel lorry. Since July, MAN has been fitting MCS charging technology as standard for customers who wish to adopt it at an early stage. By giving IAA visitors a practical insight into megawatt charging, the VDA and Milence are making an important contribution to the successful market roll-out of MCS and to the success of the comprehensive electrification of road freight transport”, says Jürgen Wagner, Senior Vice President Engineering Vehicle & External Engines MAN Truck & Bus.
Stina Fagerman, President Mercedes-Benz Trucks Customer Region Europe: “The transformation of road freight transport can only be achieved through a comprehensive, high-performance charging network. With the eActros 600, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is already proving that battery-electric long-haul transport is ready for real-world operations and delivers tangible benefits for customers in their daily business. We therefore highly welcome the VDA and Milence showcasing MCS technology at IAA Transportation, as it will be a key enabler for the further scale-up of electric mobility in long-haul transport.”
Lars Gustafsson, SVP and Head of Solutions Management at Scania: “The transition to electric long-haul transport requires charging solutions that combine power, safety and reliable performance. With 1,000 amps and 750 kW as a starting point, MCS has the potential to exceed 3 MW as the technology develops. Scania is among the first solution providers to fully implement the latest cybersecurity requirements between the vehicle and charger. Scania’s advanced battery technology and active cooling support stable charging in both hot and cold conditions. By leveraging experience from across the TRATON GROUP and deploying proprietary software, Scania helps ensure smooth interoperability and reliable uptime for customers.”
VDA Managing Director Jürgen Mindel emphasized: “The industry is taking the lead in scaling up electric mobility in the commercial vehicle sector and demonstrating what is already possible today. This is also evident in the real-world trial of MCS fast charging conducted by Milence together with Daimler Truck, MAN Truck & Bus and Scania at IAA TRANSPORTATION.
Policymakers must now follow suit: by 2030, around 35,000 publicly accessible MCS fast-charging points will be needed across Europe. Currently, there are just 730 charging points across the EU with a minimum charging capacity of more than 350 kW dedicated exclusively to heavy-duty commercial vehicles. That is why the expansion of charging infrastructure, as well as the electricity grid, must now be a top priority.”
