In Vierzon, Voltix opens its first charging station dedicated to electric heavy trucks
The necessary decarbonization of road freight transport relies on the electrification of heavy trucks. Many manufacturers are beginning to introduce 100% electric heavy trucks to the market. However, for this trend to accelerate, it is essential that electric trucks can be charged quickly. Vinci Concession, an international player in transportation infrastructure, aims to provide a solution to this issue. Its subsidiary Voltix has just opened its first charging station in Vierzon, dedicated exclusively to electric heavy trucks. Delivering up to 1.5 megawatts per charging point, it is the most powerful charging station in France. Located at a crossroads of major French logistics routes, its location is no coincidence. The Vierzon station represents the first link in a future Voltix network. Present at the event were
At the inauguration, heavy truck manufacturers believe it meets their expectations.France’s Most Powerful Charging Station
Voltix has just opened its first charging station dedicated exclusively to electric heavy trucks. Voltix’s uniqueness lies in its specialization—it deploys and operates stations designed from the outset to meet the needs of freight transportation. The station currently features four charging points (eight planned in total), each delivering up to 1.5 megawatts. This power level allows a 44-ton truck to be charged in about thirty minutes. It is the most powerful charging station in France. Voltix’s goal is not to set a record but to anticipate the evolution of charging for heavy trucks. In fact, within ten years, 1-megawatt chargers will become the standard in this industry, not the exception. Additionally, each charging point is equipped with dual CCS and MCS (Megawatt Charging System) connectors to ensure compatibility.
competing with all the electric heavy trucks on the road.A strategic positioning
The choice of Vierzon to host the first Voltix station was not random. It follows logical logistics principles. Well-known among transport companies, Vierzon is located at the intersection of major roads and highways. The city lies at the junction of the A20 highway connecting Paris to Toulouse and the A71 toward Clermont-Ferrand. Additionally, the nearby A85 provides a transverse route to Tours, Angers, and the Atlantic coast. Thus, the Vierzon station is situated in a location where trucks will find it particularly advantageous to stop. This aligns with European regulations requiring a 30 to 45 minute break every 4.5 hours of driving, an essential factor for meeting the operational demands of transport companies.
The first link in a network of 50 stations
The Vierzon station serves as the first link in a future network that Voltix plans to deploy by 2028. A network of 50 stations along the busiest highway routes in France and Germany. With this network, Voltix aims to demonstrate that infrastructure for heavy vehicle charging is no longer delayed. It is now being built at the intersections of major logistics routes in France. To fund this network, Voltix can rely on support from its parent company, Vinci Concessions. It can also count on the involvement of ADEME Investissement and the regional investor Epopée Gestion. The three partners have already agreed to invest 90 million euros in financing the first twenty stations. Voltix will also be able to benefit from subsidies from the European Union under the Europe Interconnection Mechanism (MIE). A mechanism that supports the deployment of such networks.
The lack of heavy vehicle charging infrastructure on the trans-European transport network.A response to manufacturers' expectations
At the inauguration, five heavy truck manufacturers were present with their latest models capable of MCS charging. They emphasized that the Vierzon station met their expectations well. For Renault Trucks, the development of public charging is indeed essential to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks. The operation of the Vierzon station helps kick off this momentum. For Volvo Trucks, with 1.5 MW per charging point, its capacity already meets the needs of future generations of heavy trucks. With it, according to Man, Voltix offers a practical solution to the charging challenge. Thus, the conditions are in place to accelerate the electrification of long-distance transportation. Indeed, for Daimler Truck, the transition to decarbonized road transport depends not only on vehicles but also on the development of charging infrastructure.
A high-performance, reliable, and affordable charging network.