World’s First Megawatt Charger for Electric Trucks

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Main advance for long-distance electrical street transport

With companions from business and analysis establishments, the Technical College of Munich (TUM) is to make battery-powered vans viable for long-distance cargo transport. Megawatt charging represents an vital step in direction of this aim. The primary prototypes have been offered to the general public on Friday at an occasion on the Plattling Know-how Campus with the Bavarian Minister of Financial Affairs Hubert Aiwanger in attendance. With the brand new charging put up and truck, it is going to now be attainable for the primary time to cost the battery sufficiently for 4.5 hours of operation inside the regulatory relaxation interval — with no extra ready time.

In Germany round 70 p.c of freight transport by way of quantity and distance takes place on the street — primarily with diesel-powered vans. This has a substantial environmental influence. 40 p.c of transport-related emissions of 148 million tons of CO2 relate to freight transport. Consequently, a swap from diesel to electrical energy would yield substantial advantages. The analysis consortium NEFTON is engaged on the wanted technical and infrastructure options underneath the management of the Chair of Automotive Know-how of the Technical College of Munich (TUM).

Prof. Markus Lienkamp stated: “The scientific facts send a clear message: Battery-powered trucks have an efficiency of around 75%. This puts them far ahead of trucks powered by fuel cells with a 26% efficiency and eFuels with a 14% efficiency. However, the necessary infrastructure for the effective use of electric trucks is still lacking along the main transport routes. The technology for megawatt charging represents an enormous step forward.”

Dr. Frederik Zohm, Government Board Member for Analysis and Improvement at MAN Truck & Bus, stated: “With NEFTON we have developed technologies that will make it possible to charge e-trucks rapidly and at a power rating of over 1000 kW. Our research prioritized real-world readiness, the costs and the grid power output. Along with our project partners we have clearly demonstrated that electric trucks and megawatt charging is the perfect combination for comprehensive decarbonization of road-based freight transport. The technology is there. Now it’s time to move ahead with the expansion of the charging infrastructure in the market through close cooperation between policymakers, the energy sector and vehicle manufacturers.”

Hubert Aiwanger, the Bavarian Minister of Financial Affairs, stated: “This research project shows: high-tech and expertise from Bavaria will shape the mobility of the future. Initiatives like this will gradually decarbonize logistics and freight transport. This will boost the competitiveness of the Bavarian economy. I would therefore like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the NEFTON project. The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) will massively accelerate the charging times for trucks. This makes it a milestone in the development of electromobility. MAN has already demonstrated the real-world viability of this technology and has played a key role in developing standards. We are also incorporating the MCS technology into our current funding program. In the first round, we will finance 86 charge points. The next call for funding proposals is due to start in the late fall. Along with our hydrogen funding programs, this program is emblematic of the Bavarian state government’s openness to new mobility technologies.”

Charging posts each 50 km

The NEFTON undertaking has investigated using electrical vans within the real-world logistics course of. The consortium labored with 4 freight forwarding corporations to investigate numerous areas of utility — from native distribution to long-distance transport. The outcomes present that, for distribution and regional transport, most charging can happen on the freight forwarder’s premises. Nevertheless, long-distance transport operations would require a community of high-powered truck charging stations at freeway relaxation stops and parking areas.

The outcomes present that charging posts able to delivering peak energy of 1 megawatt must be put in each 50 km alongside core freeway routes. This will get rid of all time losses from charging. In a analysis setting, charging outputs of as much as 3 megawatts have been studied. This could tremendously enhance flexibility in on a regular basis use. It will additionally make it attainable to put in smaller batteries, which would scale back prices and yield ecological advantages. The NEFTON undertaking will now examine these future prospects.

• NEFTON project
• Together with TUM and MAN, the next companions are collaborating within the NEFTON undertaking consortium: AVL Software program and Capabilities GmbH, Analysis Heart for Vitality Economics (FfE), Fraunhofer ISE, Prettl Electronics Automotive, Deggendorf Institute of Know-how
• The undertaking is funded by the Federal Ministry for Financial Affairs and Local weather Motion.

Courtesy of Technical University of Munich.