Depot slow charging is sufficient for most electric trucks in Germany

• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2024.104078
• Publication Date: 2024-02-05T11:25:03Z
• Authors: Daniel Speth; Patrick Plötz
• Keywords: Charging infrastructure; Load curve; Megawatt charging; 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology; Public charging; Depot charging; Battery electric truck

Battery electric trucks (BETs) can dramatically reduce tail-pipe emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. However, their limited range necessitates frequent charging. Megawatt charging has been discussed as requirement and potential barrier for fast BET market diffusion. Here, we simulate all daily trips of 2,410 trucks in Germany as BETs with lowest charging power required. Assuming 450 - 700 km (2030 - 2050) range, the share of vehicles replaceable by BETs is higher than 90 %. Most charging events (>95 % of night charging, >75 % of day charging) need maximally 44 kW. Higher power, mostly 45 - 350 kW, is mainly needed during the day by up to 25 % of charging vehicles. Megawatt charging (MCS) higher than 350 kW is important for long-haul operation and delivers about 20 % of all BETs' electricity demand by 2035. In conclusion, low power depot charging is the main charging location for BETs, MCS is needed for long-haul operation.