Project in focus: FLEXMCS
The Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems (FLEXMCS) project addresses the challenges of deploying electric charging infrastructure for trucks. These charging points will be designed as highly energy-efficient megawatt hubs that are flexible, scalable, and sustainable. These hubs will support fast charging for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV) and slower charging for light vehicles during off-peak hours. They will integrate renewable energy sources and aim to reduce grid dependency and energy losses.
FLEXMCS brings together Iveco Group and DAF Trucks (as EUCAR members), Hitachi and JEM energy (as charging infrastructure providers), Bosch and Aften, ALICE and Gruber Logistics SPA (as end-users), and Ricardo, TNO, IDIADA and AIT (as research partners). The project is coordinated by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
The project objectives include:
- Design multiport Megawatt charging hubs with optimised layouts that minimise costs and maximise flexibility for different vehicle types.
- Develop open software architectures for real-time data exchange between charge point operators (CPOs), the energy grid and fleet managers to ensure efficient infrastructure utilisation and services.
- Streamline and accelerate the planning and installation of charging hubs, focusing on the most effective locations along TEN-T corridors.
- Conduct a six-month real-world demonstration at a site in Karlsruhe, Germany, to validate the technologies and tools developed with different vehicles and logistics operators.
- Gather business needs for viable MCS locations and specify future deployment scenarios and metrics.
Follow the project developments here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexmcs/
This project is co-funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101192657.
Project facts:
| Start: | Duration: | Budget: | Public funding: | Website: |
| January 2024 | 42 months | €9.6 million | €7.6 million | Under construction |
| Partners: | Coordinator: Vrije Universiteit Brussel | |||
| EUCAR members: DAF Trucks, Iveco Group. | ||||
| Partners: Hitachi Energy, JEMA Energy, ElaadNL, Bosch, Ricardo, TNO, IDIADA, AIT, ALICE and Gruber Logistics. | ||||