“Our goal is to support the global transition to net zero and drive the electrification of transport. We are not just talking about passenger cars, but also trucks, marine vessels, and, in the future, even aircraft,” explains Tobias Geraae, Sales Manager for Denmark.
With facilities in Finland and the United States, the company has already provided charging solutions in more than 65 countries, managing 31 million sessions and delivering 1.2 terawatt-hours of energy over the lifespan of its devices.
Electrification of trucks in Denmark: A
According to Geraae, the electrification of heavy vehicles in Denmark is still in its early stages:
“Today, about 1% of trucks in Denmark are electric. Although significant steps have been taken, there is still a long way to go to fully electrify transport.”
The country, thanks to its small size and supportive government policies, is in a privileged position, but adoption remains limited. Economic incentives and subsidy programs, along with penalties on CO2 emissions, are helping small and medium-sized transport companies begin the switch to electric, especially for urban routes and last-mile deliveries.
“The first proof points of megawatt charging (MCS) technology – which enables charging at an incredibly fast speed of up to 1000kW – have been seen lately, for instance at Alfredsson Transport’s truck depot in Sweden, meaning that long haulage trips can also start to be electrified. Also, the newer electric trucks on the market have a long range, enabling longer drives, and stopping every 4.5 hours according to EU regulations. With MCS technology, trucks can now be charged within the regulatory 45-minute breaks, meaning long-haul journeys don’t need to take longer than they do,” says Geraae.
New electric trucks today offer longer ranges, and combined with ultra-fast charging, allow for longer routes to be tackled without compromising operational efficiency. However, dedicated and adequate charging infrastructure remains a critical factor.
Infrastructure is the main challenge
According to Geraae, the main challenges to completing the heavy vehicle transition involve three areas:
- Charging Infrastructure: The lack of large-scale facilities suitable for heavy transport represents an obstacle. Grid connections and local permits can take from 12 to 24 months, slowing down business planning.
- Initial Investments: The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for electric trucks is improving, but the initial investment in vehicles and infrastructure remains high. This is why models like Charging-as-a-Service are emerging, which allow costs to be spread out and guarantee full operational support.
- Fleet Management and Scalability: Many companies hesitate to switch to electric after decades of experience with diesel.
“The advantage with our distributed system is that the customer can start small and scale their charging site according to their growing needs. They don’t need to commit to a certain number of charging points or power modules and can grow both with the increase of electric trucks.” explains Geraae.
The ChargEye software also allows charging to be optimized by utilizing the available electrical capacity of industrial sites, reducing the need for new grid capacity.
“Our load manager allows the electricity for machinery to be used only when it is not operating, avoiding the need to increase the available power from the meter. This is essential for those who want to start small and grow gradually,” adds Geraae.
Another critical component for accelerating electrification is collaboration among OEMs, charging operators, utilities, and municipalities. Kempower aims precisely to create this synergy, offering modular and scalable systems that can grow with the fleet and collaborating with partners capable of providing turnkey solutions.
“Once permits, energy, and collaboration along the supply chain are aligned, the transition accelerates rapidly,” Geraae emphasizes.
The ability to integrate infrastructure, software, and operational management reduces implementation times and supports companies of any size.
The role of subsidies
Subsidy programs are fundamental to making the switch to electric possible, especially for small companies. Geraae stresses that government support not only reduces initial costs but also allows for the acquisition of experience and know-how, helping to build a competitive advantage.
“Subsidy programs help pioneering companies develop the necessary skills, for example by offering their depots for public charging and creating new income opportunities. This accelerates the widespread adoption of electrification on a larger scale,” states Geraae. “Heavy transport is critical infrastructure, and we must act accordingly from both an industrial and service perspective. With the right solutions, the transition becomes not only possible but also fast and sustainable,” concludes Tobias Geraae.
