Volvo Trucks Ghent is heading into the future with electric vehicles

An Electric Fleet Growing Faster Than the Infrastructure

Volvo Trucks Ghent is a forward-thinking player in the transport and manufacturing industry, where sustainability, operational efficiency and future-oriented energy solutions are becoming increasingly important. With the roll-out of new charging infrastructure at its Ghent site, the company is taking a crucial step towards a low-emission and future-proof fleet. The investment combines reduced environmental impact, strategic energy optimisation and the ambition to prepare the fleet for the mobility of tomorrow.

However, while the purchase of electric vehicles is progressing smoothly, the roll-out of efficient and scalable charging infrastructure often lags behind.

The company faced a number of classic growing pains: uncertainty about the correct sizing of charging points, the risk of overloading the existing electrical installation, the need for strategic energy planning and the ambition to make maximum use of renewable energy.

Without a forward-looking plan, the company risked reaching operational limits in the near future, both in terms of charging time and energy capacity. Volvo Trucks Ghent needed a solution that not only meets today’s needs but can also reliably support its ambitious electrification strategy in the years ahead.

Smart Charging Infrastructure as Part of an Integrated Energy Strategy

Together with the team at Volvo Trucks Ghent, we developed a charging strategy that is as ambitious as it is realistic. Rather than taking a traditional “just add more charging points” approach, we created an integrated solution that takes the entire energy system into account.

We began with a thorough analysis of the existing electrical infrastructure and future fleet planning. Based on these insights, we determined the optimal number of charging points, the right locations and the ideal control system. The focus was on preventing overload, enabling smart load balancing and linking the charging infrastructure to the company’s own renewable energy production.

In the first phase, 28 strategically placed charging points were installed. The entire infrastructure was designed to scale seamlessly up to at least 168 charging points, without the need for major new investments. Thanks to our engineering expertise, energy know-how and project support, the charging network became future-proof, efficient and fully aligned with Volvo Trucks Ghent’s long-term strategy.

A Scalable, Sustainable and Reliable Charging Network

The new charging infrastructure now provides Volvo Trucks Ghent with both operational certainty and clear strategic value for the future:

• Reliable starting capacity: 28 charging points that charge the electric fleet smoothly and energy-efficiently.
• Future-proof scalability: Infrastructure that can scale effortlessly up to at least 168 charging points, without placing additional strain on the electrical installation.
• Maximum use of green energy: The charging network has been optimised to make maximum use of the renewable energy generated on site, resulting in an immediate reduction in energy costs and CO₂ emissions.
• Avoidance of operational risks: Smart energy management ensures that the grid is never overloaded, even as the number of vehicles increases.
• A strong example for the sector: Volvo Trucks Ghent is positioning itself as a pioneer in the electrification of business mobility, strengthening both its sustainable image and competitive edge.