The MACBETH project is advancing the future of sustainable transportation by developing and demonstrating innovative charging solutions for electric vehicles, with a particular focus on heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). The project features two key pilot sites that are testing high-power charging hubs in real-world conditions to address the unique challenges of electrifying logistics and freight transport.
Pilot 1: Plugit’s Multi-Vehicle Hub in Sweden
Led by Plugit, this pilot is developing a high-power, multi-vehicle charging hub in Sweden, strategically located along the E6, a key corridor of the TEN-T core network. The hub will offer charging for all vehicle types, from passenger cars to large trucks. It will feature a total of 20 charging points, including four MegaWatt Charging System (MCS) points and sixteen CCS points.
This pilot focuses on demonstrating best practices for user experience, including seamless access and guidance to ensure an optimized flow of traffic. The team will also research the interaction between charging stations, vehicles, and the grid to create an energy-efficient hub. By collaborating with PostNord, the pilot will gather valuable user feedback to ensure the hub meets the specific needs of HDV operators while also accommodating passenger vehicles. The goal is to deliver a commercially viable and scalable solution, advancing the technology readiness level (TRL) to an operational concept.
Pilot 2: Milence’s HDV-Only Hub in Belgium
In Belgium, the second pilot, led by Milence, is focusing on a high-power charging hub exclusively for HDVs. Located in a high-demand area near the North Sea-Baltic TEN-T core network, this hub is designed to address the critical role MCS chargers play in decarbonizing the logistics sector. The hub will feature a CCS-MCS setup with four 400kW CCS chargers and four 1.2MW MCS chargers.
This pilot emphasizes delivering a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly charging experience that meets the higher demands of heavy-duty trucks. Key features include seamless access and authentication for various charger types, as well as an innovative demonstration of robotic technology from Rocsys to automatically insert the MCS connector, which enhances safety and efficiency. To ensure the hub is ready for large-scale deployment, Milence is collaborating with Sennder and MAN to gather crucial end-user feedback. The ultimate goal is to deliver a commercially feasible and scalable solution, pushing the TRL to an operational concept.