Lidl completes Dutch logistics truck charging network
Lidl Netherlands has opened its sixth fast-charging hub for electric trucks - this time, at the Waddinxveen distribution center. All six of the discount retailer's regional logistics centres now have their own charging infrastructure. The company sees this as fulfilling the prerequisites to supply all 440 Dutch branches electrically starting in 2027.
Image: Lidl
According to Lidl, the hub in Waddinxveen marks the completion of its nationwide charging infrastructure expansion. The other distribution centres are located in Almere, Heerenveen, Oosterhout, Weert and Etten-Leur. From Waddinxveen, Lidl supplies its branches in the province of South Holland and parts of Utrecht. The company states that only green electricity is used for charging, some of which comes from the PV system on the roof of the distribution centre.
Lidl has not disclosed how many charging points or their power ratings are installed in Waddinxveen. A press photo shows charging systems from ABB and Kempower. In Almere, where a new fast-charging hub went into operation in June, the supermarket chain uses CCS fast chargers as well as an MCS charging point, which is expected to deliver up to 1.2 MW in the future. It remains unclear whether the new site also has MCS capability.
Fast chargers also accessible to external users
As with the other logistics centres, the charging infrastructure in Waddinxveen will not only be available to Lidl and its transport partners; freight forwarders and other local companies are also expected to use the fast-charging stations at favourable rates and with guaranteed charging times. This way, Lidl aims to utilise the existing grid capacity more efficiently. According to the company, this provides a concrete solution to the grid bottlenecks faced by many businesses and promotes the sustainability of the entire transport sector.
Electric deliveries from 2027
With this opening, Lidl is moving a significant step closer to a goal it set itself back in June, when it announced plans to switch its store deliveries entirely to e-trucks as early as 2027, three years sooner than planned. According to Lidl, this would make it the first retailer worldwide to supply all stores in a country electrically.
Lidl began its first trials of electric store deliveries in Amsterdam more than ten years ago. Today, the latest electric trucks deployed by the company reportedly achieve ranges of over 500 km. It remains unclear how many e-trucks will be needed to complete the transition, as once again, Lidl has not specified the fleet size.