Decisive factor: Megawatt charging doesn’t break the bank

The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) offers enhanced communication capabilities, improved safety features, and greater system robustness. The outstanding advantage, however, is that it is more cost-effective than slower charging variants – for all stakeholders, from Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to fleet owners.  

The Megawatt Charging System can enhance the operational efficiency and business continuity of commercial fleets. Both are critical for the large-scale transition towards decarbonization of the transportation sector. Jorge Soria Galvarro, Senior Technical Adviser for Charging Enablement at TRATON R&D says, “Megawatt charging is designed to maximize stability and minimize downtime.” 

MCS is therefore a vital component for making this transition possible, while complying with all rules and regulations for safety and driver wellbeing. 

More than 80% charged at 700 kW within 45 minutes 

Within the EU, all long-distance drivers must take a 45-minute rest period for every 4.5 hours behind the steering wheel. The Megawatt Charging System is the only fast-charging system which would allow a driver to also use this time window to substantially charge their battery-electric truck. During the rest period, a battery can be recharged to around 80% at 700 kW when plugged into a MCS.  

In contrast, although a typical 350-kW charger may be suitable for passenger vehicles, charging a heavy-duty truck with a large battery of 600 kWh or more would take around 90 minutes. This is twice the length of a driver’s legal rest time. For commercial trucking operations, this extended charging time negatively impacts business continuity and incurs high opportunity costs. Therefore, with its high-performance charging at 700 kW, the Megawatt Charging System creates measurable business efficiency.   

MCS also offers improved robustness. The Combined Charging System standard runs over single power line connections which can be unstable, potentially leading to failed charging events. Megawatt charging is more reliable for continuous charging as it runs over ethernet connectivity – and this reduces downtime of the vehicle. The technology is also suitable for overnight charging at power levels as low as 80 kW.  

Besides the improved speed and connectivity of megawatt charging, this technology provides additional economic benefits for everyone. 

Economic efficiencies for Charge Point Operators 

Particularly where land is scarce, land use efficiency is key. Along most major highways around Europe, space is tight. But if a vehicle charging session is much shorter due to the faster charging speeds, a truck driver can vacate the charging point sooner. This increases the throughput per square meter on that area – which utilizes the land more effectively, reducing cost. 

As Andreas Kammel, VP Alternative Drivetrains at TRATON, summarizes: “Megawatt charging therefore offers tangible economic benefits to a key stakeholder in the charging ecosystem: the Charge Point Operator.” A vehicle charging station can have fewer, but faster charging points, rather than a large number of slower points, while retaining the same throughput of vehicles. Installing five 700-kW MCS chargers instead of ten 350-kW CCS chargers, for example, brings down land costs as well as physical hardware expenditure – all while retaining the same demand on the electricity network. 

Charge Point Operators (CPOs) also benefit from stochastic optimization with faster charging speeds: Shorter charging times are more flexible to manage, making it easier to uphold reservation systems or adapt quickly to changing demands. This enhances the average use of each charging point – which boosts a CPO’s bottom line, with either increased margins or additional cost reductions. 

CPOs therefore reap multiple benefits from a fast-charging infrastructure, but commercial fleet managers and drivers, too, gain from the stability and convenience offered by megawatt charging points.

Value and convenience for everyone 

The routes and schedules of haulage trucks are more consistent and predictable compared to those of passenger vehicles. This regularity offers further advantages to Charge Point Operators providing MCS charging points. Truck drivers would become recurring customers at their charging stations on workdays, without vacation peaks or other inconsistencies which impact passenger car charging. And if commercial customers can rely on robust charging systems that serve both en-route and overnight charging, they are likely to use public charging stations even more intensively.  

In addition, trucks are concentrated heavily on fewer routes compared to passenger vehicles. This supports planning for CPOs and fleet managers: If a truck ends up missing its reservation slot due to a road accident along its designated route, for example, then other trucks heading to that charging site are likely to be stuck in the same traffic jam. The original order of booking slots for charging is therefore typically retained. 

As all end-customers value their time, drivers will typically choose faster charging over slower alternatives, especially if the prices of each charging option are similar. The improved customer experience of robust, fast charging is in itself enough to encourage greater usage of MCS charging points. However, when CPOs expand their MCS charging points, it is more likely to reduce their costs, not increase them. This creates a win-win: CPOs gain improved margins and cash flow, while customers are offered greater value and convenience at the same price. 
 
But all of these benefits can only be gained if megawatt charging becomes the standard in high-performance charging for electrified trucks. This is where TRATON comes in.  

Partnerships for an improved charging ecosystem 

The charging ecosystem is complex. System standards and compatibility, a solid infrastructure and cybersecurity are all key elements of a successful MCS rollout. TRATON GROUP is actively engaged in partnerships with Charge Point Operators and other service providers, including Hubject, to support a seamless customer experience across different charging networks. This helps to accelerate the rollout and adoption of electric trucking. 

Greater BEV adoption with optimized charging 

With advanced technologies, global standards and an improved infrastructure, the charging ecosystem is set to become more cohesive. Besides the convenience of higher charging speeds, and greater robustness, there are multiple cost efficiencies for all stakeholders of an enhanced ecosystem. These will improve further as the technology scales. Investments in battery-electric vehicles (BEV) will become more appealing as a result, especially for long-haul transportation. 

Looking ahead, Benjamin Vieth says, “Smart, high-performance charging, optimized energy flows at charging sites and future integrations with the energy market can all reduce charging costs by up to 40%. This lowers the total cost of ownership, thus driving further BEV adoption.”  

The Megawatt Charging System, as an essential technological component, will therefore become a core pillar of an efficient electrified future.