As Europe advances toward climate-neutral road transport, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and Eurelectric have issued a joint appeal to policymakers, emphasizing the urgent need to prepare electricity grids for the large-scale deployment of heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) charging infrastructure.
Meeting the EU’s 2030 CO₂ reduction targets will require a significant increase in zero-emission trucks and buses, with projections suggesting that up to one-third of new HDV registrations will need to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). However, progress is being hampered by infrastructure challenges—particularly along key routes such as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors, as well as in urban hubs and depot areas—due to limited grid capacity, slow permitting processes, and regulatory roadblocks.
In a newly released joint position paper, ACEA and Eurelectric stress the pivotal role that Distribution System Operators (DSOs) must play in enabling the transition. They advocate for a proactive and demand-driven strategy for grid development and upgrades. Thomas Fabian, ACEA’s Chief Commercial Vehicles Officer, emphasized that a suitable charging network for heavy-duty vehicles is vital for road transport decarbonization. He warned that without a future-ready grid, the transition to zero-emission transport in Europe will not be achievable.
The paper includes several key policy recommendations aimed at overcoming current infrastructure bottlenecks. These include:
- Improved transparency through harmonised and accessible grid capacity maps
- Streamlined permitting and approval procedures
- Forward-looking investments in grid infrastructure based on anticipated demand
- Flexible connection models to support rapid deployment
- Support for megawatt charging systems (MCS) to enable high-capacity HDV charging
- Electricity pricing reforms to ensure the cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of zero-emission trucks and buses
ACEA and Eurelectric are urging EU institutions and Member States to act swiftly in reinforcing the energy infrastructure that will serve as the backbone of Europe’s carbon-neutral transport future.
