Milence builds European charging infrastructure for freight transport from Arnhem
Milence has opened an office at Industrial Park Kleefse Waard (IPKW) in Arnhem and is developing a large testing center for heavy-duty charging equipment. From this site, the company will significantly advance the electrification of international freight transport, aiming to achieve fossil-free road transport.
Milence officially began operations at the office on July 5. Oost NL supported Milence in the site selection process in close collaboration with IPKW, Connectr, the municipality of Arnhem, the province of Gelderland, and the NFIA.
Heavy commercial vehicles account for about a quarter of road transport emissions in the EU. Milence - a joint venture of Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and the Volvo Group - plans to build and operate 1,700 public charging points across Europe by 2027. The company aims to speed up the transition to emission-free heavy-duty trucks. To achieve this, Milence is opening several charging points throughout Europe and is currently building charging points in Sweden, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Reducing emissions through freight transport electrification
Milence’s facility at IPKW will house an office for approximately 65 employees who will be handling operations. The company is also developing a large test lab for R&D on smart and fast-charging equipment for trucks. “Battery-powered freight transport is currently the most efficient and sustainable road transport option. A robust charging infrastructure is essential to unlocking this potential,” says Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence.
Connecting to the Energy cluster in Gelderland
Oost NL supported Milence with the establishment and worked with regional partners. This included advising on permits and linking Milence with the Gelderland energy cluster. Peter van Houten, Project Manager EV Logistics & Tech at Oost NL, says: “Milence’s arrival in Arnhem is excellent news for the region. Their activities align well with Arnhem’s focus and IPKW’s emphasis on innovative energy, charging infrastructure, and environmental technology. Additionally, they contribute to sustainable transportation with reduced CO2 emissions.”
Van Niersen is pleased with the expansion to Arnhem: “IPKW was a logical choice for us. Arnhem offers extensive expertise in electrification and charging infrastructure. We want to actively collaborate with established companies and startups in the region to learn from each other and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable world.”
First charging points in East Netherlands in Zwolle
Oost NL also assisted Milence in identifying potential locations for physical charging points in East Netherlands. A Milence Charging Hub will be established in Zwolle at the Hessenpoort business park.
