WattHub has set up the world’s largest charging station for electric trucks and construction equipment near the Dutch town of Geldermalsen. The station boasts 36 DC charging stations offering between 300 and 400 kW of charging capacity, and six AC chargers for mobile battery packs. The station was built in conjunction with the wind energy company BetuweWind, and the energy to power the station comes from three of BetuweWind’s wind turbines, which can generate 10 MWh. The charging station is currently only being used for construction equipment for a nearby dike improvement project, but it will open to third parties in September.
- WattHub is a pioneering charging hub in the Netherlands designed for trucks and construction equipment.
- Opening its doors to third parties in September, WattHub aims to provide accessible and fast charging solutions.
A visionary project
WattHub is more than just a charging station; it’s a vision of a more sustainable future. It was born out of a collaboration between construction companies Dura Vermeer, Ploegam, and Van Oord, united under the name Mekante Diek.
Their mission was to carry out the Tiel-Waardenburg dike reinforcement project using only emission-free equipment. To meet this ambitious goal, they partnered with BetuweWind to establish WattHub, a charging station that could meet the unique needs of their heavy-duty, electrically-powered machinery.
A pioneering solution
The site is equipped with 36 DC charging stations, each capable of delivering between 300 and 400 kW of charging capacity. In addition, the site has six AC chargers used to charge mobile battery packs. These are essential for construction equipment that cannot reach the charging station and need to be charged on-site.
The energy supplied to WattHub is sourced from three of BetuweWind’s wind turbines, which can collectively generate up to 10 MWh. The charging station itself can deliver approximately 5 MWh per hour, according to Gerben van den Berg, the newly appointed director of WattHub.
Open to all
Currently, WattHub’s facilities are exclusively used by the equipment of Mekante Diek. However, as of the end of September, the charging station will open its doors to third parties. The team is now preparing for this transition, although pricing details are still being finalised.
WattHub’s charging stations are designed for use by electric trucks, heavy machinery, and battery packs. They offer a unique reservation system and flexible pricing, allowing businesses to ensure fast charging without waiting times. Powered by locally generated wind and solar energy, WattHub aims to provide accessible sustainable mobility for all.
WattHub and projects like it represent a significant step forward in the move towards sustainable transport. By utilising renewable energy to power heavy machinery and trucks, they are paving the way for a future where construction and transport are less reliant on fossil fuels and more integrated with renewable energy solutions.
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