Trucks
Trucks
Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) are here, with the first stations now opening in Europe. For electric trucks, this will mean significantly shorter recharging times and new possibilities for electrifying transport.
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is a new, high-power charging solution, with the capacity to deliver significantly higher charging speeds than conventional Combined Charging Systems (CCS). It has been developed specifically for heavy-duty battery electric vehicles including trucks and buses.
While CCS solutions typically deliver between 50-400 kW of DC power, MCS solutions have the future potential of exceeded one megawatt. To safely handle the higher current, MCS solutions require their own specialized connector, which is distinct from CCS. However, the latest electric truck models are now being equipped with both outlets making them compatible with both systems.
MCS chargers will make electric trucks a more practical and viable option for operators that cover longer daily driving distances. As it stands today, many electric truck owners rely on using a driver’s mandatory 45-minute break for opportunity charging. With an MCS charger, it is estimated that charging a truck’s battery pack from 20% to 80%, will take approximately 40 minutes.
As a result, an electric truck should be able to recoup enough energy in a driver’s 45-minute break, to complete another 4.5 hours of driving – the maximum amount of time they are legally permitted to drive under EU law. Assuming that charging can be combined with the driver’s resting time, this means that the vehicle will no longer be the limiting factor for enabling an electric truck to drive long-haul.
The roll out of publicly available MCS charging points has just begun. Last February, Milence opened its first public MCS chargers at its charging station in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with a charging capacity of up to 1440 kW.
Meanwhile, several charging providers are also planning to introduce MCS chargers in the coming years. For example, Iberdrola plans to launch its first MCS charger in Murcia, Spain with more than 1000 kW. In the UK, BP Pulse plans to install its first MCS chargers at its new Ashford International Truckstop by 2026.
Through the MILES (Mobility Infrastructure for Logistics – Electric & Sustainable) project, Milence has also secured up to €111 million from the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) to help fund an additional 284 MCS charging points across 71 locations. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
When it comes to the roll-out of MCS chargers, the process should be faster and simpler than with the CCS roll-out since it can leverage the existing network of charging stations. Adding MCS chargers to an existing charging station will raise some issues concerning grid capacity, but a lot of the other practical and logistical issues, such as findings sites, establishing parking and building facilities, won’t need to be addressed.
No, all indications are that both CCS and MCS chargers will be available, giving customers a choice between the two depending on time and cost preferences. For truck owners who do not need the speed and charging power of MCS, CCS chargers will remain a practical solution.
It is also more cost-effective to build CCS charging stations, so infrastructure providers will have to decide between investing in multiple CCS chargers or a handful of MCS chargers. Most likely we’ll see charging stations offer a mix of both. However, the emergence of MCS chargers will provide an alternative solution for any business that cannot transition to electric using conventional CCS systems.
If you’re interested in learning about other trends and developments within electromobility and electric trucks, you might like to read:
● The latest trends in battery technology
