Amazon says that CHALET takes all factors into consideration and generates a list of optimum charger locations, ranked by priority.
The tool took over 18 months to develop, and Amazon is now open-sourcing the code so that all industry stakeholders can benefit from the tool. The open-sourced code can be found in GitHub, under the repository name chalet-charging-location-for-electric-trucks.
Amazon adds that the Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance (SFBA), an independent industry alliance of freight buyers dedicated to accelerating freight decarbonisation, is already using CHALET to help create an industry-sourced map of charging infrastructure placement priorities.
“The more transportation and logistics providers input their requirements into the tool, the better the map will reflect the industry’s needs, helping craft critical recommendations to industry and governments on targeted public charging infrastructure investments,” says Amazon.
The tool is also being welcomed by other industry groups such as Eurelectric and Logistics UK.
Commenting on the Launch of the tool, Andreas Marschner, Vice president of Amazon Transportation Services, said:
“Middle mile electrification in Europe will not scale until efficient and convenient charging infrastructure is put in place. Our teams have built an effective, science-based tool, and we’re open-sourcing the code to help all companies, big and small, make more strategic electrification decisions.”
Rik Arends, Director of Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance, Smart Freight Centre, added:
“To accelerate the adoption of electric trucks, tools such as CHALET are a crucial element to successfully decarbonize our industry. We’re calling on the industry to provide input to the tool to map the industry’s needs. Identifying locations to install charging infrastructure will play a key role in emissions reduction.”
Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, Eurelectric, also commented:
“Amidst the remarkable surge in electric vehicle adoption across Europe, the ongoing expansion of charging infrastructure holds immense promise in propelling the widespread decarbonisation of the transportation sector. In order to meet the growing demand for charging, both energy companies and authorities will benefit from input and advice from fleet operators in order to identify the best locations for charging infrastructure. The CHALET tool developed by Amazon is an interesting tool in this regard.”
Finally, David Wells OBE, Chief Executive of Logistics UK, had the following to say about the tool:
“Logistics UK is calling for a national logistics network that is backed by the energy infrastructure required for all freight transport modes. That’s why we welcome this new technology, and encourage Logistics UK members to use this tool. CHALET has the potential to enable the right planning and energy decisions by Government, and the investment needed to deliver zero carbon logistics at pace and in the most cost-effective way for logistics customers and the economy. Evidence from this tool should also inform important decisions regarding driver welfare facilities and rest stops.”