Félix Hamer and Hugo Bos‘ journey from the Netherlands to Spain was not only a logistical challenge, but also a test of the viability of electric trucks on European roads.
The journey, which covered more than 1,400 kilometers from Amsterdam to Girona, highlighted the need for adequate infrastructure and demonstrated the country’s potential to become a key player in the electrification of heavy transport.
“Compared to the rest of Europe, the price of electricity in Spain is quite competitive,” they tell Mobility Portal España.
In this regard, they explain that the country was one of the first countries to reduce the price per kilowatt-hour a few years ago.
“The opportunity for any vehicle to become electrified in Spain is enormous , but especially for trucks,” they say.
Why? According to them, the climate is more favorable, which influences battery performance.
“It’s easy to imagine solar charging depots in industries where trucks don’t operate around the clock, allowing them to take full advantage of solar energy ,” they say.
Although they maintain that the trucking sector is still very small in the country, they assert that the response from local users was positive.
“People traveled from Barcelona to Girona to meet us at the Ionity charger,” they explain.
And they add: “Some traveled an hour in their car just to see the truck and meet us.”
This reflects the interest in the electric truck segment and the desire of the electromobility community to learn more about this type of vehicle.
Regarding the station selected for the meeting, the expedition leaders praised its “good design” as well as its competitive subscription rates.
“Although the station was relatively small, its layout was quite efficient, which made the parking process easier for Hugo,” Hamer notes.
Despite these advantages, truck loading infrastructure was the biggest obstacle they faced on their journey, which began in the Netherlands and crossed Belgium and France before reaching Spain.
Although fueling networks have grown in recent years, most stations are designed for light vehicles, not trucks.
In France, for example, they faced difficulties in finding affordable chargers.
“Many locations are designated for cars and have height restrictions or barriers that prevent access for large vehicles,” they explain.
This limitation also exists in Spain, although there are opportunities to adapt stations to the needs of heavy transport.
In this context, they mention that the layout of charging stations on the border between Spain and France could be optimized.
“Instead of installing stations on both sides of the highway, it might be more efficient to build one large central station that is easily accessible from both directions,” he suggests.
This type of strategy would improve network efficiency and reduce congestion at individual stations.
Currently, trucks typically arrive at loading points at similar times, which can cause waits and affect route planning.
” Physical space and ease of access are also paramount,” they emphasize.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), promoted by the European Union, seeks to solve this problem.
This establishes the deployment of at least 3,600 kW of truck charging capacity every 60 km on main roads and 1,500 kW every 100 km on secondary routes, with a target of 2030.
This regulation will allow more carriers to opt for electric vehicles without worrying about infrastructure availability.
The growth of the electric truck sector in Spain is already a reality.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), 378 eTrucks were registered in 2024, 10.9% more than in 2023.
However, the market still faces regulatory and economic challenges.
The expiration of the MITMA Moves Plan on April 30, 2024, has generated uncertainty in the industry, which is awaiting a new incentive program to boost the electrification of heavy transport.
