Sweden Faces Urgent Need for 5,000 Ultra-Fast Electric Truck Chargers by 2030

A recent report forecasts that Sweden will need approximately 5,000 ultra-fast chargers for electric trucks by 2030, while currently having only two such chargers. According to Volvo Trucks, Europe could see up to 400,000 electric trucks on the road by that year, necessitating a massive expansion of charging infrastructure. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) projects the need for between 4,100 and 5,300 megawatt chargers (MCS), and 12,600 to 15,000 ultra-fast chargers with power outputs ranging 150 to 350 kW across Europe. Overnight charging will remain the primary method for electric trucks, with estimates showing 236,000 chargers for lower power overnight needs (22 to 100 kW). Total power demand for these chargers is set to reach between 22 and 28 gigawatts, with megawatt chargers accounting for nearly 15% of this demand despite being a small fraction of total chargers.

While five EU countries—Germany, Poland, France, Spain, and Italy—are expected to contribute over 70% of charging demand, Sweden currently lags behind with only a few megawatt chargers. Nevertheless, companies such as Traton, Volvo, and Daimler, through their joint venture Milence, have begun developing infrastructure, recently inaugurating their first megawatt charger at Landvetter near Gothenburg. The report also noted technological improvements that could reduce the need for public megawatt chargers by up to 40%, highlighting the importance of coordinated infrastructure growth as battery electric trucks become the backbone of zero-emission freight transport in Europe.

Dr. Hussein Basma, senior ICCT researcher, emphasized, "Balanced and robust expansion of charging infrastructure is vital for Europe’s transition to emission-free freight." The development of Sweden’s ultra-fast charging network will be crucial to support the widespread adoption of electric trucks as the transport sector shifts toward sustainability.