Daimler Truck and Volvo Group Develop Megawatt Charging Systems

Daimler Truck and Volvo Group are developing megawatt charging systems for heavy-duty electric trucks in the United States. The companies are working on a pilot project to test 1 MW and 3.75 MW charging systems, with the goal of supporting long-haul electric trucking. The project is underway in September 2024, with the companies aiming to develop a network of high-voltage charging corridors along major transportation routes. The cost of the project has not been disclosed, but the companies are investing heavily in the development of megawatt charging technology. The project is a significant step towards the widespread adoption of electric trucks, as it will help to address the issue of charging time and range anxiety. In the United States, the demand for electric trucks is increasing, driven by government regulations and declining battery costs.

The pilot project will involve the testing of megawatt charging systems on a fleet of electric trucks, with the goal of demonstrating the feasibility of high-voltage charging for long-haul trucking. The companies will work with fleet operators and charging infrastructure providers to develop a network of charging stations along major transportation routes. The project will also involve the development of new power conversion technology, which will be needed to support the high-voltage charging systems. The companies are working closely with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to ensure that the project meets all relevant safety and technical standards.

The development of megawatt charging systems is a critical step towards the widespread adoption of electric trucks, as it will help to address the issue of charging time and range anxiety. Currently, most electric trucks have a range of around 250-300 miles, which makes them suitable for regional hauling but not for long-haul trucking. However, with the development of megawatt charging systems, it will be possible to charge electric trucks to 80% in under 30 minutes, which will make them suitable for long-haul trucking. The companies are also working on the development of new battery technology, which will help to increase the range of electric trucks and reduce charging times.

The project is also expected to have a significant impact on the development of charging infrastructure in the United States. The companies are working with charging infrastructure providers to develop a network of high-voltage charging stations along major transportation routes. This will help to support the widespread adoption of electric trucks, as it will provide fleet operators with access to a comprehensive network of charging stations. The project is also expected to create new job opportunities in the charging infrastructure sector, as well as stimulate economic growth in the regions where the charging stations are located.

Why It Matters

The development of megawatt charging systems for heavy-duty electric trucks has significant implications for the U.S. grid, as it will require the development of new power conversion technology and the expansion of charging infrastructure. The project will also help to support the widespread adoption of electric trucks, which will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. As the demand for electric trucks continues to grow, the development of megawatt charging systems will play a critical role in supporting the transition to a low-carbon transportation sector.

Sources

https://www.volvogroup.com/en/ – Volvo Group

https://www.volvogroup.com/en/ – volvogroup.com

Critical Perspective

Series context: This post is part of MGRID’s Megawatt Charging System (MCS) industry coverage. The MCS spec was ratified by CharIN in 2023 and SAE in early 2024, and the 18 months since have produced a steady wave of vendor announcements, fleet pilots, and lab demonstrations. Readers should distinguish three distinct claim tiers in MCS coverage: (1) spec compliance, which most products credibly claim because the spec is settled; (2) production shipments, which reduces to ABB MCS1200 plus a handful of pre-production units from other vendors as of mid-2026; and (3) field-deployed truck refuels at MCS-rated power, which is measured in single digits globally. Coverage that conflates these tiers overstates commercial maturity. Field availability of MCS-spec chargers will scale through 2027 as Heliox, Kempower, ChargePoint, Tritium, and others move past prototype builds. For each product cited in this post, readers should verify the deployment tier (lab / pilot / commercial pilot / general availability) before assuming operational readiness.

Related Coverage

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• Hitachi Energy Commits Additional $1.5 Billion for Transformer and Solid-State Transformer Capacity in Finland, Germany and North America: Hitachi Energy invests in transformer capacity for grid upgrades
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