ABB and Oreve expand truck charging network in France
ABB E-mobility and Oreve are expanding their collaboration in building public truck charging infrastructure in France. By the end of 2028, twelve new locations are being established with around 100 charging points and a total of 18 MW of charging power. The first MCS-capable facility is planned for 2027.
ABB E-mobility and Oreve have already been working together for three years.
Image: AAB e-mobility
Swiss charging technology provider ABB E-mobility and French charging infrastructure operator Oreve are expanding their three-year partnership. Having already implemented six sites along key French freight routes, the two companies now plan to build twelve additional charging parks with around 100 charging points. The total planned capacity of the new facilities is approximately 18 megawatts. The expansion is set to be completed by the end of 2028, with upgrades to existing sites also envisaged.
The existing operational sites include locations in Bourg-de-Péage on the Valence–Grenoble axis, Vénissieux in the Lyon logistics hub, and Pardies in south-western France. Oreve is focusing further network expansion on electric heavy-duty transport, though the charging parks will remain accessible to passenger cars as well.
In addition to supplying the charging technology, ABB will handle cloud-based system management, real-time monitoring, and remote support services. The sites are designed to allow for gradual expansion as demand grows.
ABB plans first MCS-compatible site for 2027
For the technical equipment, Oreve is relying on two charging systems from ABB E-mobility. Initially, the A400 fast chargers will be deployed, capable of dynamically distributing up to 400 kW of power across two charging points.
From early 2027, the sites will also be equipped with the modular M-Series. This system allows the charging capacity of a site to be scaled up from 400 kW to as much as 1.2 MW by adding power modules. Up to 24 charging units can be integrated without the need to rebuild the underlying power infrastructure for each expansion.
The M-Series supports both the CCS charging standard and the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). The first MCS-compatible installation under the partnership is planned for 2027, though the companies have not yet specified a location.
Both the A400 and the OM charging units of the M-Series feature liquid-cooled charging cables, enabling high current levels even during prolonged charging sessions. ABB specifies up to 600 amperes for the A400 and up to 800 amperes for the OM units.
France plans 8,000 truck charging points by 2035
The expansion is taking place against the backdrop of France’s plans to electrify road freight transport. By 2035, the national charging infrastructure plan calls for around 8,000 truck charging points at approximately 560 motorway rest and service areas, with a total installed charging capacity of around 1.6 gigawatts.
Public fast-charging parks will complement depot charging infrastructure. According to models by Fraunhofer ISI and ICCT, in most European countries, 70 to 80 per cent of the charging demand for heavy electric trucks is expected to occur at depots in the long term. Nevertheless, high-performance public charging sites remain critical for long-haul transport and en-route charging.
ABB E-mobility is also involved in developing corresponding depot solutions. In the recently completed BELLE research project, the company and its partners investigated the electrification of depots, focusing on areas such as grid connections, charging infrastructure, and intelligent load management.
In parallel, ABB is expanding its service business for heavy-duty vehicle charging infrastructure. At the end of September, the company agreed with Norwegian logistics provider ASKO to extend their existing collaboration to include monitoring, maintenance, and support. The two partners have been working together since 2019 and have since commissioned more than 60 high-power chargers in seven Norwegian cities.
Oreve is part of the French Ortec Group and is developing a public fast-charging network for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy trucks. By 2030, the company aims to establish 150 public charging sites in France.