First bookable truck charging
All European truck chargers on one platform: First bookable truck charging location live on the TRAVIS platform.
TRAVIS & Shell join forces in enabling electric fleets to operate profitably.
TRAVIS, Europe’s largest booking platform for truck services, now offers in addition to over 500 truck parking and 1100 truck washing locations, the first truck charging location. Through the TRAVIS platform, transport companies get clear insight into the available locations and features of these different charging locations across all of Europe, but most importantly, they can book a time slot at a charging station in advance through the platform. This ensures drivers a guaranteed time slot at a charging station, at the desired time and at the most convenient location. In the coming years, TRAVIS will expand the network of truck charging locations across Europe in cooperation with strategic partners including Shell, among others.
With Truckstop Eindhoven Acht, located in the Netherlands, the first location has now opened where a charging station can be pre-booked via the TRAVIS platform. TRAVIS has the ambition to realise Europe’s largest network of bookable truck charging stations in the near future. Besides Shell charging stations, other charging stations can register their chargers and make them bookable for third parties via the TRAVIS platform as well. There are three elements that are going to make the difference in the coming years in being able to operate an electric fleet profitably: minimising downtime, realising a comprehensive European network of charging stations and joining forces industry-wide. A brief introduction to these elements shows how the market can boost electric truck charging
Minimising charging and waiting times
Being able to operate profitably within the transport industry requires being able to implement the most efficient route planning possible, align correct pricing with customers and, of course, the cargo. With this, this goes far beyond simply driving from A to B as quickly as possible, but also involves integrating live factors such as rest periods and being able to adjust real-time to traffic and weather conditions. This is no different with an electric fleet, where even more downtime needs to be taken into account. After all, charging an electric truck takes many times longer than filling up with fuel and the average range is still lower than that of a traditional truck. Reducing these charging times and optimising the driving range are obviously the biggest focus points among manufacturers of charging stations and electric vehicles.
Another factor is the availability of truck charging capacity. Having to wait in line for hours before a driver can charge his/her truck because the charging stations are occupied by others is an unacceptable situation. By combining the effective range of the truck with the intended route, it is actually very easy to predict when, and above all where, an electric truck should be recharged. This is exactly the element where a big efficiency gain can be realised. Especially if transport companies can reserve these moments in advance via independent booking tools such as TRAVIS and are guaranteed a slot at the most favourable time for them.
European network of truck charging stations
The second essential component in being able to operate profitably with an electric fleet is the realisation of a European-wide network of available truck charging stations. Currently, it is practically impossible to plan a long-distance journey with an electric truck due to the limited supply of charging infrastructure for electric trucks. Shell plans to grow a larger network of Shell hybrid stations, including charging stations, along major European freight routes. Through the TRAVIS platform, time slots can be reserved for all these charging stations. The number of public charging stations will only increase in the coming years, which will make the long-distance electric road transport more and more of a realistic possibility.
Joining forces leads to the best solutions
Transport companies currently investing in an electric fleet typically also invest in their own on-site charging infrastructure. While this solution may be sufficient for many transport companies that operate locally/nationally, a logical disadvantage when using their own charging infrastructure is that the fleet always has to return to the depot. The TRAVIS platform therefore offers ‘Depot Truck Charging’, what allows transport companies to connect to the TRAVIS truck charging network and publicly offer their own charging stations to third parties. Through easily adjustable timeframes, fleet managers are ensured that their own electric fleet always has the ability to charge when needed, but as soon as they are not using their own charging infrastructure, it is made available to others. Depot Truck Charging comes with two major advantages: on the one hand, the investment of charging stations can be recouped faster, and on the other hand you directly contribute to the solution of creating a European-wide truck charging network.
Only by continually joining forces within the industry can a difference be made. The cooperation between TRAVIS and Shell in this is a great example of joining forces within the industry. By simply staying focused on what each already excels at, then managing to combine those areas of expertise with the strengths of the other often lead to the best solutions. But also transport companies that are willing to offer their own charging stations to third parties via the TRAVIS network are a good example of joining forces. This makes it more accessible for transport companies to electrify their fleets on short notice.
Contact person for press inquiries: TRAVIS Road Services
Bas Hoevenaars, Marketing & Communications
Email: [email protected]
Office: +31 (0) 881148900
Web: www.yourtravis.com
