Mining Digital September 2022 | Page 36

SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS

KEY PLAYERS MAKE

€ 500

BATTERY-ELECTRIC ENERGY INVESTMENT

Commercial vehicle manufacturers Traton Group - with its brands Scania and MAN , Daimler Truck , and Volvo Group - have formed a joint venture for charging infrastructure in Europe . The trio will own equal shares in the joint venture but will continue to be competitors in all other areas . Traton had previously signed a binding agreement to install and operate a public charging network for battery electric , heavyduty long-haul trucks and coaches in Europe .

The initiative is expected to be important in supporting the European Union ’ s Green Deal for carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050 .
The joint venture will be a self-standing legal entity , operating under its own corporate identity . There are plans to install and operate at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charge points on , and close to , highways and logistics hubs across Europe . The € 500mn investment is one of the largest charging infrastructure investments in the European heavy-duty truck industry to date , and will be seen as a call to action to other industry players , as well as governments and policymakers , to work together for a rapid expansion of the necessary charging network , as well as investing in renewable energy .
36 September 2022