• With a prime location along the Scandinavia-Mediterranean TEN-T corridor it will enable electric road transport between Gothenburg and Malmö
• With a driver's lounge and a full range of Milence amenities, the hub is designed to provide the best rest and recharge experience
Amsterdam, 10 October 2024 – Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Trucks, TRATON GROUP and Volvo Group, has taken its first step into the Nordic market with the opening of a charging hub in Varberg, Sweden. This is the fourth hub in Europe and the first of 10 hubs to be opened in Sweden contributing to the development of the biggest public electric charging network for heavy-duty vehicles in Europe. The hubs in Åstorp and Ödeshög will be the next to open later this year.
A Key Location open to all trucks
The new charging hub in Varberg is strategically located on the TEN-T Scandinavia-Mediterranean corridor between Gothenburg and Malmö in southwest Sweden, near exit 55 on the E6 motorway. This location serves as an important stop-off point for haulers and heavy-duty vehicle drivers traveling along the main logistics routes in Sweden. Varberg, a major transport node, was carefully selected for its accessibility and importance in the region. The charging hub in Varberg, like all other Milence hubs, is open to all truck brands.
Two Phases of Development
The Varberg hub is being developed in two phases. The first phase, which opened today, features eight charging bays with four high-performance Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers, each providing up to 400 kW of charging power. The second phase, set to launch in 2025, will add more charging bays and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) chargers. This will significantly increase the charging capacity and provide faster, more reliable charging for heavy-duty vehicles. By accelerating technology development and electrifying the major transport routes in Europe, we make it easier for fleet operators to switch to emission-free vehicles.
Enhancing the Driver Experience
The Milence charging hubs are intended to be a place for trucks and drivers to rest and recharge. So, the new hub in Varberg will offer more than just high-performance charging. It will also provide a comfortable environment for drivers, with a lounge area, showers and toilets. The parking area is fenced and secured with access control, illuminated, and equipped with camera surveillance and Wi-Fi for an enhanced experience.
Payment and Pricing
To ensure accessibility for all heavy-duty vehicles on the market, Milence has signed agreements with various e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs) in Europe. Their cards can be used for payments at the Varberg hub, making the charging process seamless for drivers across different platforms. Additional partnerships are being finalized to further enhance payment flexibility across the network. Direct payments via the Milence App or using a bank card will also be possible.
Milence’s default charging tariff is set at EUR 0.4 (0.399 EUR and SEK 4,53) per kWh, excluding VAT. The applicable tariff will be displayed in the Milence app and on the display of each charging point, ensuring transparency. Any future changes to pricing will be communicated through official Milence channels.
Green energy and sustainable building
Milence continues to demonstrate its commitment to making road transport sustainable, not only by providing the right charging infrastructure, but also by ensuring the full availability of green energy and by looking at sustainable building practices that reduce CO2 emissions throughout the concrete paving solution, ensuring a 30-year lifespan.
Anja van Niersen, CEO Milence: “Sweden is one of the leading countries in Europe when it comes to sustainability and energy transition, where electric road transport is a reality today. With 10 charging hubs under development and 3 to open by the end of the year, this is one of our key markets and fleet operators can now start using the Milence network. This is possible thanks to the support we receive from all the relevant stakeholders in the market, for which we are very grateful, and we are happy that our hub openings are becoming a platform for exchange and cooperation”.