Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, has announced two major developments in its European electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The company has launched its first charging hub in Italy, located in Bagnolo San Vito, and deployed its first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. These initiatives mark significant progress in the electrification of heavy-duty road transport.
On 20 February 2025, Milence inaugurated its first Italian charging hub in Bagnolo San Vito, in the province of Mantua. Strategically positioned along the A22 Autostrada del Brennero and the Scandinavia-Mediterranean corridor, the hub aims to facilitate electric freight transport across one of Europe’s key logistics routes. It is equipped with four high-performance chargers, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW, powering five charging bays.
This expansion marks Milence’s thirteenth operational hub and highlights its commitment to supporting the transition to zero-emission transport.
“The opening of our first hub in Italy demonstrates our commitment to bring all industry stakeholders together, to create a platform that drives the next breakthrough in sustainable transport,” stated Milence CEO Anja van Niersen speaking at the opening.
Beyond high-power charging, the hub offers rest facilities for drivers and multiple payment options, including charging cards and direct bank card payments.
The standard charging tariff is set at €0.399 per kWh (excluding VAT). Future plans include the introduction of megawatt charging capabilities to further enhance efficiency for long-haul electric trucks.
First megawatt charging system deployed at Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Only a couple of days later, on 25 February 2025, Milence deployed its first MCS solution at its charging hub in Truck Parking Ketenis, located within the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Developed by Power Electronics, the high-power charging system has undergone extensive testing throughout 2024 and is now available for commercial use.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second-largest maritime port, now hosts one of the largest public truck-charging facilities, with 22 charging bays providing a combined 4 MW of CCS and 2.8 MW of MCS charging capacity.
MCS technology is a breakthrough for the electric trucking industry, Milence says, as it is delivering up to 3.75 megawatts of power and reducing charging times by approximately 90%. The system enables long-haul electric trucks to charge their batteries within 30 minutes, making electric freight transport more viable.
“This deployment represents a turning point for electric road transport,” said van Niersen. “MCS technology is a key enabler for the widespread adoption of electric trucks, making long-haul transport a viable and sustainable option.”
Establishing Europe’s first MCS corridor
Milence plans to expand its MCS infrastructure across Europe, with a goal of deploying at least 284 MCS charging points across 71 locations in ten EU member states by 2027. The Antwerp installation serves as the first step in an MCS corridor connecting the Belgian port with Stockholm.
To ensure broad adoption of MCS technology, Milence is working with multiple truck manufacturers to test compatibility. The company has already conducted initial tests with a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 prototype in Valencia, Spain, and plans to collaborate with additional manufacturers in the coming months.
All images credited @ Milence