Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, has enabled one of its first major electric routes in Europe.
The 3 hubs located in Perpignan, Béziers and Malataverne, will connect one of Europe’s largest and busiest port with France’s second-largest logistics center. These hubs, spread along an almost 700 km route from Barcelona to Lyon, play a key role in accelerating the adoption of electric trucks across southern Europe.
Strengthening Connectivity Across Southern Europe
The hubs are positioned strategically along the TEN-T Mediterranean Corridor, a key route connecting southern Europe from Algeciras in Spain to Slovenia and Hungary.
This corridor enhances connectivity across southern Europe and facilitates efficient transport from south-west to south-east Europe. It is a vital section of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), linking Spain, France, and Italy to streamline cross-border trade and logistics.
Improving connectivity in Southern France
– The Perpignan hub is located less than 40 kilometres from the Spanish border, within a key industrial zone for the shipping of fruit and vegetables across France and Europe. The hub is equipped with three Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers, powering six bays with up to 400 kW of charging power.
– The Malataverne hub is situated in the Rhône Valley, an industrial and logistics hub connecting major cities such as Lyon and Marseille, as well as key roads leading into Italy and Spain. At the hub eight charging bays are available, powered by four high-performance CCS-chargers.
– The hub in Béziers is located near Narbonne. The area is a critical point for logistics and distribution in the Occitanie region and beyond. The hub features four CCS-chargers, spread over four bays.
These hubs are developed in phases, scaling up to meet increasing demand as the adoption of electric trucks accelerates. Each hub provides secure and safe parking, along with amenities for drivers’ comfort and convenience.
Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence, highlighted the significance of the new hubs: “The operation of three charging hubs along the Mediterranean Corridor is a clear demonstration of our commitment to building the backbone of Europe’s electric transport network. By connecting cities such as Perpignan, Béziers and Malataverne, we are also linking major logistics hubs like Barcelona, Marseille, Lyon, and Milan. Additional hubs along the route, like the one in Bagnolo san Vito, will further strengthen this. The corridor not only enhances the flow of goods across southern France but also plays a pivotal role in electrifying critical transport corridors that drive trade and commerce across southern Europe. We will focus on enabling pan–European electric routes, giving transport companies the confidence of reliable charging along the way. The Barcelona-Lyon corridor sees thousands of trucks daily. Transitioning to electric trucks would dramatically cut CO₂ emissions, enabling sustainable logistics in Europe.”
Accessible and seamless charging experience
The hubs provide a fast, reliable, and high-performance charging experience for all trucks regardless of brand. Milence ensures accessibility and transparency for all users with a robust payment system.
Partnerships with leading e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs) enable drivers to pay using a variety of charging cards. Direct payment options via payment terminal are also available. The default charging tariff is €0.399 per kWh (excluding VAT).
