A research consortium led by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has secured €10 million from the European Commission to develop ultra-rapid charging infrastructure for electric trucks across Europe.
The MACBETH project – short for Multipoint megAwatt Charging for Battery Electric Truck Hubs – brings together 19 companies, universities, and research centres for a four-year initiative. The team will pilot and test megawatt charging hubs specifically designed for long-haul and heavy-duty transport.
The funding will support exploration of various approaches including robotised charging devices and mixed-use hybrid hubs that can serve electric heavy goods vehicles, mid-sized commercial vans, and private cars.
Megawatt Charging Technology
Megawatt chargers remain rare across Europe but are considered essential for making all-electric HGVs viable for commercial use. These systems can deliver energy at three to four times the rate of the most common high-power CCS2 chargers currently deployed.
A truck like the Mercedes eActros 600 can charge its massive 621kWh battery pack from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes using megawatt charging technology.
Yancho Todorov, senior scientist and project coordinator at VTT, outlined the comprehensive scope of the research.
“To create a functional charging infrastructure, we need to investigate many aspects, including various charging hub designs, hardware systems, plug standards, safety-enabling robot technologies, as well as practical experiences of logistics companies in operating electric trucks. The project will also explore new business models for charging infrastructure.”
Demonstration Pilots and Robotised Charging
The project will initially create two large-scale demonstration pilots to test the hybrid hub approach. These sites will also trial new technology including robotised truck chargers developed by Dutch company Rocsys.
The robotic systems will automatically connect charging cables and initiate the charging process without driver intervention.
Joost van der Weijde from Rocsys explained the operational benefits of automated charging systems.
“The robotised charging arm will not only free drivers’ time and increase productivity but also enhance safety. Currently, drivers must exit their vehicles, handle heavy charging cables, and interrupt their break time. By automating the charging process, we’re addressing critical ergonomic, operational, and safety challenges in electric heavy-duty transport.”
The automated approach addresses several practical challenges – heavy charging cables can weigh over 20kg and require significant physical effort to manoeuvre.
Commercial Deployment Focus
Research professor Mikko Pihlatie from VTT emphasised that MACBETH goes beyond pure research toward real-world implementation.
“The MACBETH project is not just about technological innovation; rather, it prepares new charging solutions towards large-scale deployment. It is an important step towards reimagining the entire ecosystem of electric transport, from charging infrastructure to logistics operations.”
The project aims to create commercially viable solutions rather than laboratory prototypes.
Pihlatie noted that innovation projects combining research and piloting are essential for scaling and commercialising solutions that advance climate goals while creating new business opportunities across Europe.
The consortium’s work will inform the rollout of charging infrastructure needed to support the growing number of electric trucks entering European markets over the next decade.
