Building Europe’s electric-truck charging infrastructure

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the electric truck charging infrastructure industry. Core Insights - The expected global mass rollout of electric trucks necessitates a dense charging network, with McKinsey estimating that over 300,000 charge points will be required in Europe by 2030, up from approximately 10,000 today [2] - A total capital investment of around €40 billion will be needed to build this infrastructure by 2040, with €7 billion required by 2030, of which less than a quarter has been publicly committed [2][29] - The charging infrastructure will be energy-intensive, consuming 20 terawatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030, which is about 0.5% of Europe's total electricity demand [2] Summary by Sections Charging Infrastructure Development - The first phase of charging infrastructure will be installed in private fleet depots or semi-public hubs, with over 90% of installations expected to be near major industrial sites or logistics hubs by 2030 [12][13] - Public charging infrastructure will develop more slowly, with only 4,000 public charging points for slower overnight charging and 12,000 fast-charging points expected by 2030, requiring a total investment of €1.5 billion [15] - By 2040, a total of 100,000 public charging points are anticipated to be installed along European highways, providing 45% of the total electricity used by electric trucks [15] Use Cases and Fleet Operations - The first wave of commercial electric trucks will primarily be used for single-day travel, covering more than 50% of electric trucks in Europe by 2030 [7] - Fleet operators will need to navigate trade-offs in vehicle specifications, balancing battery size, charging infrastructure, and operational flexibility [9] - The development of depot-based infrastructure offers a solid business case for fleet operators, with an expected EBIT profit pool of €200 million between now and 2030 [14] Market Opportunities and Challenges - The electric truck charging market presents significant opportunities due to the lack of established players, allowing new entrants to shape the ecosystem [3] - Public fast chargers are expected to be the most profitable type of infrastructure, with a profit pool valued at €500 million between now and 2030 [15] - The report highlights the need for integrated solutions that include financing, electricity access, and hardware implementation to support the electrification of fleet hubs [31] Strategic Recommendations - Fleet operators should develop electrification and charging infrastructure roadmaps well in advance, considering grid upgrades and potential delays in approvals for charging stations [19][24] - Collaboration among various stakeholders, including utility companies, charging hardware providers, and fleet operators, is essential for successful infrastructure deployment [21][26] - The report emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics and customer needs to create differentiated offerings in the charging infrastructure space [31][32]