Kempower has collaborated with its partner Virta to plan, deliver and install charging infrastructure for GT Solutions at their depot in Aulnay-sous-bois
The depot has been equipped with Kempower’s powerful and size-efficient DC fast-charging solutions in a bid to maximize its existing truck capacity
The project with Kempower and Virta contributes to GT Solutions’ ambitious net-zero goals and the wider e-truck transition in France
Finnish DC fast-charging manufacturer Kempower has partnered with leading French fleet operator GT Solutions to launch GT Solutions first logistics hub charging site in France.
The charging location is at the Aulnay-sous-Bois depot of French transportation and logistics company GT Solutions, located north of Paris, which collaborated with Kempower and EV software provider Virta to open the site in time for the launch of its brand new e-truck fleet.
The charging site has been supplied with a 600kW Kempower Power Unit and six Kempower Satellites, which can deliver a maximum power of 200kW per charger. The charging solutions are capable of charging a standard truck from 20% to 80% in less than 1 hour, allowing GT Solutions’ fleet to fully recharge overnight or during idle periods.
The site officially opened on 3 October when its nine new electric trucks were deployed for the first time. The fleet primarily operates last-mile logistics journeys, a business model which lends itself well to fleet electrification given the shorter distances travelled and opportunity for regular, long charging periods at the home depot.
The cooperation between Kempower and GT Solutions was facilitated by the companies’ mutual partner Virta, a digital platform supporting charge point operators to grow their business through data-driven insights and expert consultation.
The project comes as the e-truck transition in France gains momentum, driven by both national and European net-zero targets. The European Union has set a goal for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by 2040, a target that’s moving in the right direction after the sale of electric trucks increased almost threefold in 2023.
Targets, regulation and incentives have gone some way to inspire logistics operators to embrace incoming change, with GT Solutions pledging to reduce the emissions of its more than 1,900-strong fleet by 15% by the end of the year.
The collaboration saw the two companies work in tandem to overcome the logistical challenges of integrating charging infrastructure within an existing truck depot, where free space is often very limited and operations cannot be disrupted for large restructuring projects.
“Given the huge size of the trucks and the need to retain as much space as possible at the depot, it was vital that we planned the project with an exceptional eye for detail and efficiency,” said Cédric Moret, Kempower’s Head of Sales for France.
He added: “The project with GT Solutions was a perfect opportunity for our team to deploy not only our market-leading DC fast-charging solutions, but the expertise and consulting support we have been offering our customers to ensure optimal and efficient infrastructure layout. GT Solutions is leading the way when it comes to electrification of logistics fleets in France, and we’re proud that our first logistics DC fast charging site in the country will play a role in helping the team achieve its goals.”
Romuald Chemin, Technical Director at GT Solutions, commented: “As a fleet operator with ambitious decarbonization plans, our aims for the charging site were twofold – we needed the depot to be adequately equipped for the electrification of our fleet without losing valuable space for our trucks, which is essential from a business perspective.”
He continued: “Kempower’s technology offers powerful DC fast charging with excellent size efficiency, supporting our transition and allowing us to install the necessary infrastructure without compromising on truck space and avoiding major structural work. The chargers also have the robustness needed to withstand the depot’s busy working environment and often demanding conditions.”
