Teaming up with Volvo Group, Scania, Stena Line, the port of Gothenburg has initiated Tranzero, in order to speed up the transition to fossil-free fuels in the transport sector. The initiative shall bring a significant reduction in carbon emissions — aiming to cut them by 70% by 2030 — linked to the largest port in Scandinavia. The new charging station, named Vädermotet and run by Circle K, is one major step to reaching the mentioned goals.
— It’s unique in its kind — our first station built for fossil-free transportation, says Lennart Olsson, who’s responsible for introducing truck charging at Circle K. Initially, we’re offering six high-power (up to 360 kW) charging spots for EV trucks. Next year, we will add a 1 MW (1000 kW) charger there and also build hydrogen filling for trucks, together with OG Clean Fuels. Hydrogen is in a very early stage for trucks and new standards for fast filling of hydrogen are under development. It will most probably take 4-5 years before this product gets commercial, but we look forward to pioneer in this area.
How’d you describe the current state of fuel for heavy trucks in the Nordics?
— There is a very large demand for fossil-free and emission-free products on the market. Fossil-free fuels such as B100 and, especially, HVO100 have led the way for many years. We’ve also seen a large expansion for gas during the last few years. Now, the eyes are turned towards emission-free transports — mainly electricity but also, as mentioned, hydrogen, in the long term. Liquid fuels will also have a big role to play in the coming years to manage the existing vehicle fleet, which gives us as a retailer of fuel an important role in the transition. The infrastructure for charging and hydrogen has been given a huge push by local authority’s monetary support for ’regional electrification pilots’, to build charging infrastructure.
You’ve just opened this station. What’s next?
— The construction of four charging stations in the north of Sweden, in cooperation with the Winter test region and Testinfra Sweden. We’ll build ultra-fast chargers (360 kW) for serving the winter tests of trucks and cars on public roads, set to open this winter, says Olsson. He adds:
— We’re also part of E-charge, a demonstration and research project led by Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg, building another 1 MW charger south of Stockholm. These chargers with the new MCS standard (Mega Charging) are developed by ABB and the project aims to test EV Trucks from Volvo and Scania in four ordinary long-haul routes during 2024. A charging session during the driver’s statutory 45-minute rest will give the trucks enough power to continue for 4,5 hours to the next stop.
Related Stories
