The electrification of heavy transport in Spain is already a reality that many distribution and logistics companies are addressing to reduce their carbon footprint and meet both national and European Union objectives.
However, this progress does not only depend on the companies; it also requires suitable “on-road” charging infrastructure to facilitate their operations smoothly.
This challenge is expected to be addressed by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
But how will road charging be planned?
“The future lies directly in sharing locations between electric charging stations and service stations,” says Jordi Gallart, Director of Operations at Bunzl Distribution Spain, to Mobility Portal España.
This is essential to ensure that, on the one hand, gas stations remain operational, and on the other, that their infrastructure, which already includes rest areas, can also serve users who need to recharge their electric vehicles.
It is worth noting that a truck driver must take an uninterrupted 45-minute break after driving for four and a half hours.
As it also has the option to split this break into two parts, with the second part not being less than 30 minutes.
“These are moments that should be used to eat, take a shower and use any other service that is already available at current gas stations,” says Jordi Gallart.
This will not only maximize the profitability of charging projects, but will also optimize the use of available space.
In this sense, it is important to design locations considering various types of electric vehicles, rather than simply serving a single market segment.
Not only that, but another advantage that service stations have, according to the representative of Bunzl Distribution Spain, is their strategic location at the main or exclusive exits of the motorways.
“Therefore, to achieve optimal and fast charging, they should share locations with existing gas stations or consider making a higher investment, such as building new additional exits on the route,” he emphasizes.
At this point two regulations come into play.
One of national scope, specified in Law 7/2021, which establishes that service stations whose gasoline and diesel sales exceeded 10 million liters in 2019 must install at least one charger with a power equal to or greater than 150 kW.
Those with sales of more than five million liters of gasoline and diesel in the same year must implement at least one power station equal to or greater than 50 kW.
Currently, more than 800 stations are working to comply with these guidelines.
Those who do not comply will face an established sanctioning regime.
According to the provisions of the national government, supervision of this obligation will fall to the competent bodies of the petrol station registries of the autonomous communities.
In the event of non-compliance, the regime stipulated by Law 34/1998 of the hydrocarbon sector will be applied, which provides for fines varying between 600,000 euros and 30,000,000 euros, depending on the severity of the infringement.
The exact amount will be determined by the Administration, taking into account the specific circumstances of the case.
In parallel, the European AFIR regulations propose deploying, by 2030, at least 3,600 kW of charging power for heavy transport every 60 km on main roads and 1,500 kW every 100 km on European secondary roads.
This will involve total investments estimated at approximately 1.4 billion euros, with 50 per cent of these resources allocated to the installation of charging infrastructure.
In this context, Jordi Gallart stresses: “Increasing the availability of charging points is important, but it is also essential that these are fast charging”.
He states: “With a slow charger on the road, you simply exceed the duration of the working day and it is no longer useful to us.”
Relive Bunzl Distribution Spain’s presentation at the International Mobility Portal Summit:
