In 2022, a charging site for heavy vehicles will be completed in Skelleftehamn. This investment is supported by a unique collaborative effort between stakeholders working to promote and accelerate the electrification of heavy logistics in the Skellefteå region. The goal is to ensure that more logistics operations will be able to rely on renewable energy.
The role of the Skellefteå region in the industrial development of northern Sweden, connected to climate transition efforts, has made the Port of Skellefteå, 18 km west of the city of Skellefteå, a strategically suitable location for charging heavy, electric vehicles. Here, we find industries such as the recently established Northvolt, Boliden as the historically foundational industry of the region, Scania as the vehicle supplier, Wibax in the role of logistics provider, Skellefteå Council as both port operator and logistics purchaser, and Skellefteå Kraft as the provider of charging equipment and renewable energy.
“What’s unique about this investment in fast charging of heavy vehicles is that stakeholders throughout the entire value chain collaborate in a region very focused on electrification”, explains Fredrik Jonsson, acting Business Unit Manager for E-Mobility at Skellefteå Kraft.
All partners throughout the value chain depend upon each other when making the electrification of heavy vehicles a reality. Vehicle manufacturers need to know that their customers wish to transition to electric vehicles. Logistics companies that invest in electric vehicles, wish to ensure that these can be charged in strategic locations without unnecessary delay, and energy suppliers need to know with some degree of certainty that there will be a demand for charging.
“We can ensure the presence of heavy, electric vehicles in the market. The challenge is to secure access to charging infrastructure and power supply when customers need it. With this collaboration, we will be able to overcome such challenges”, says Jessica Björkquist, Head of E-Mobility at Scania Sweden.
Electrification needs to happen quickly, and the expansion of charging opportunities is crucial in making this happen. Another important success factor for the transition is that charging is done efficiently. This can mean, for example, that vehicles are charged in connection with loading and unloading.
The establishment is part of Skellefteå Kraft’s initiative to enable electrification of heavy logistics. A total of 9.5 million SEK will be invested in a charging site for heavy logistics. Three trucks will be able to charge simultaneously, with a power of 300 kW.
In order to fund the project, Skellefteå Kraft has applied for and received a climate investment grant from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The grant covers half the total investment, and requires the new charging site to be completed before the end of the year.
Facts about Elregion Norrland (Electricity Region North)
Elregion Norrland is a collaboration between the companies Scania, Northvolt, Boliden AB, Wibax AB, Skellefteå Council and Skellefteå Kraft.
Elregion Norrland is intended to support the electrification of heavy logistics in the Skellefteå region. The goal is that a substantial share of logistics will be carried out by electric vehicles by 2025, with the first vehicles entering operation before the end of 2022.
