International projects

Living Lab Heavy-Duty Charging Hubs

Heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) are becoming increasingly common, placing greater demands on the existing charging infrastructure. In the Living Lab Heavy-Duty Charging Hubs project, Rijkswaterstaat is investigating what will be required in the future to ensure that e-trucks can operate safely.

At the beginning of 2023, there were around 400 electric trucks in the Netherlands. By early 2024, this number had already doubled, and it continues to grow. A well-developed national network of charging hubs is therefore essential.

In the Living Lab Heavy-Duty Charging Hubs project, we are working with businesses, government bodies and research organisations to assess how charging hubs function in practice and what will be needed in the future. By collaborating, we can accelerate the development and rollout of charging infrastructure.

Why heavy-duty charging hubs?

As part of the international commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, the Netherlands must take significant steps to achieve a sustainable and zero-emission mobility system. This transition is a shared challenge for many countries, but the Dutch role as a key transport and logistics hub makes our national efforts both urgent and essential.

Zero-emission mobility system

Since 1 January 2025, zero-emission zones (ZE-zones) have been introduced in several major Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Eindhoven. In total, 16 municipalities have adopted these zones. While the regulation is now in effect, a transitional period applies to allow businesses time to adapt. From 2030 onwards, only zero-emission delivery and freight vehicles will be allowed in these areas.

Publicly accessible charging infrastructure in Europe

The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requires the deployment of sufficient publicly accessible charging infrastructure along Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) and in urban hubs.

Truck on the highway

Project approach

  • We are collaborating with businesses, various government bodies and research organisations to share knowledge and collect data on how charging hubs function in practice.
  • At 6 different charging hubs in the Netherlands, we are examining the optimal setup for heavy-duty electric trucks. This also contributes to the implementation of new legislation and subsidy frameworks.
  • Our research covers technical design, spatial planning, grid integration, logistics processes and business case development.

Designing charging infrastructure

The central research question guiding this project is:

What constitutes a functional, affordable and scalable design for (semi-)publicly accessible charging infrastructure for heavy-duty logistics in 2025 and 2030?

To answer this, we are gathering data, insights and experiences from 6 charging hubs, including truck parking areas, semi-public locations and publicly accessible sites. Additionally, Rijkswaterstaat is providing funding per charging hub to support innovation.

Truck on sustainable bridge

Practical tools for the market

The Living Lab Heavy-Duty Charging Hubs project not only provides valuable insights but also delivers practical tools for the market. The findings and research results will be compiled into a comprehensive report, enabling stakeholders involved in heavy-duty charging infrastructure, such as transport operators, charge point operators and policymakers, to take immediate action. This will support the development of a high-quality and successful charging infrastructure network in the Netherlands.

Charging hubs participating in the research

The research is carried out in collaboration with 6 existing charging hubs operated by market players. These hubs differ in size, location, and level of accessibility.

Public charging hub

  • Shell & EVConsult Truck Only Eindhoven Acht
  • CircleK Sevenum

Semi-Public charging hub

  • Watthub Geldermalsen
  • Districon and Municipality of Tilburg (Brabants Afval Team)

Truck parking facilities

  • Milence at Truckparking Venlo
  • Truckparking Rotterdam, Antonie Bodaanweg

Traffic on the highroad

Period

October 2023 - December 2026

Partners

Rijkswaterstaat is working closely with the following organisations on this project: TNO (Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), The Netherlands Knowledge Platform for Charging Infrastructure (NKL), ElaadNL Foundation, Dutch National Charging Infrastructure Agenda (NAL) and LoLa Heavy Duty Charging (LoLa).