Smart Freight Centre Identifies Priority Locations for Public Charging Infrastructure
Smart Freight Centre (SFC) has published its latest report, “Accelerating Public Charging: Determining Near-Term Medium and Heavy-Duty Public Truck Charging Locations,” offering a new, data-driven methodology to guide the development of public charging infrastructure for battery-electric trucks (BETs).
The report marks a significant milestone in efforts to align infrastructure planning with real-world logistics demand, identifying strategic locations in both Germany and Poland where public charging investments can deliver maximum impact for freight decarbonization.
Moving Beyond Modeling: A New Approach to Infrastructure Planning
Unlike previous studies that rely on modeled projections or hypothetical use cases, this report utilizes actual origin-destination freight movement data from first-mover logistics companies. This bottom-up, demand-based approach was made possible through the use of Amazon’s CHALET tool and close collaboration with SFC members and partners.
By focusing on real transport activity patterns, SFC aims to ensure public charging hubs are built where they will be most needed and most used, paving the way for more efficient deployment of BETs across the region.
Country-Level Insights: Germany and Poland
The report presents detailed, country-specific findings that reveal infrastructure gaps and high-potential charging corridors:
- Germany: Charging demand is widespread, with high volumes expected across central and western corridors. However, deployment must go beyond the EU’s TEN-T network to ensure sufficient coverage.
- Poland: As a major freight hub in Eastern Europe, Poland presents strong potential for scaling zero-emission logistics—particularly in light of recent subsidies and the launch of SFC’s Poland corridor project. These findings are not only relevant for charge point operators and logistics providers but also for grid operators, motorway authorities, and policymakers who are working to align infrastructure planning with national and EU-level climate targets.
Launching the Poland Corridor Project
Building on the momentum of this report, SFC has announced the launch of the Poland Corridor Project—a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at translating demand-based planning into battery electric truck deployment.
The project will include:
- Engagement with fleet operators and shippers to align vehicle and infrastructure rollout
- Support subsidy identification and application
- Identification and development of priority charging sites
- Exploration of additional funding mechanisms and public-private investment models
Call to Action: Shaping the Next Charging Corridors
As a next step, Smart Freight Centre invites logistics companies, fleet operators, and infrastructure providers to help identify the next priority corridor. A targeted survey, developed in partnership with Milence, provides a fast and easy way to share your organization’s electrification priorities.
By aggregating real demand data and fostering collaboration across the value chain, SFC continues to support the system-wide transition to zero-emission freight transport.
To register interest in participating in this survey, please click here.
📄 Read the full report here.
📧 Interested in participating in the Poland Corridor Project or future corridor mapping? Contact Samuel Barendregt at: samuel.barendregt@smartfreightcentre.org