IN Brief:
- ABB E-mobility and Oreve plan twelve additional charging sites with approximately 18 MW of combined capacity by the end of 2028.
- The rollout combines A400 chargers with modular M-Series equipment that supports higher-power charging.
- The first installation capable of using the Megawatt Charging System is planned for 2027.
ABB E-mobility and French charge point operator Oreve are expanding their partnership to develop twelve additional high-power charging sites along major freight corridors in France. The programme is expected to provide approximately 100 charging points and 18 MW of installed capacity by the end of 2028, supporting the growing use of battery-electric heavy goods vehicles on regional and longer-distance transport routes.
The expansion follows three years of cooperation between the companies, which have already established six operational charging sites. Existing locations include Bourg-de-Péage on the Valence–Grenoble corridor, Vénissieux in the Lyon logistics area, and Pardies in south-west France. The additional sites will extend Oreve’s network while allowing selected existing facilities to be expanded as demand develops.
ABB will supply the charging equipment and a cloud-based asset management platform, together with services covering real-time monitoring and remote technical support. Oreve will continue developing its charging network, with an increasing focus on heavy goods vehicles while maintaining charging access for other electric vehicle categories.
The rollout combines two ABB charging systems with different power configurations. Initial sites will use A400 all-in-one chargers capable of dynamically distributing 400 kW across two charging points. The available power can be allocated between connected vehicles according to their requirements and the operating limits of the equipment.
Dynamic distribution allows a charging unit to manage more than one connection without supplying its maximum rated output to both simultaneously. The power delivered to an individual vehicle also depends on the battery’s operating voltage, state of charge, temperature, and the charging limits established by the vehicle manufacturer.
A charging point’s nominal capacity consequently does not establish the power available throughout every charging session. As the battery charges, the vehicle may request less power to remain within its operating limits. Site capacity also needs to be considered alongside the number of vehicles using the equipment and the electrical supply available to the installation.
From early 2027, the new Oreve sites will also incorporate ABB’s M-Series modular charging system. Its architecture uses power cabinets that can be expanded by installing additional modules, allowing a site to develop from an initial 400 kW arrangement into a larger charging hub with up to 1.2 MW of capacity.
The system supports configurations with up to 24 dispensers, providing options for increasing the number of vehicle connections as the site develops. The dispenser count is separate from the maximum power available from the charging installation. A hub with multiple dispensers must distribute its installed capacity between the connected vehicles according to the system configuration and operating conditions.
ABB intends the modular arrangement to allow additional charging capacity to be installed without rebuilding the underlying electrical infrastructure each time the system expands. That approach depends on suitable infrastructure being provided for the planned development stages. Grid connection capacity, transformers, switchgear, cables, and the site layout must still accommodate the maximum installed power expected at the facility.
The A400 and M-Series systems both use liquid-cooled charging cables intended for sustained high-current operation. ABB specifies current ratings of up to 600 amperes for the A400 and up to 800 amperes for the M-Series OM dispensers. Cooling helps manage the heat generated within the cable during charging while allowing the equipment to remain manageable for drivers.
Charging current alone does not establish delivered power. The relationship between current and voltage determines the electrical power transferred, subject to the operating limits of the charger, cable, and vehicle. Actual charging performance will therefore depend on compatibility between the truck and the installed equipment.
The M-Series supports both the Combined Charging System (CCS) and the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). CCS is already used across a range of electric vehicles, while MCS is being introduced for applications requiring substantially higher charging power, including heavy-duty transport.
ABB and Oreve plan their first MCS-capable installation during 2027. The partners have not disclosed its precise location or commissioning date. MCS compatibility provides a technical route towards higher-power charging, although the usable output will depend on the equipment configuration and the charging capabilities of individual trucks.
Charging infrastructure for heavy goods vehicles has additional operating requirements beyond those associated with passenger cars. Large vehicles need suitable approaches, turning space, parking areas, and access to connectors positioned for their charging arrangements. The time needed to charge also has to be considered alongside vehicle duty cycles and the availability of suitable stopping locations.
Electric trucks used for regional distribution may be able to recharge at depots between scheduled movements. Vehicles operating on longer routes can require access to public infrastructure during the working day. The suitability of a charging stop depends on its location relative to the transport route, the available power, and the time required for the vehicle to receive sufficient energy for its next journey.
The French national road-network charging plan envisages approximately 8,000 truck charging points across 560 motorway rest and service areas by 2035. It identifies around 1.6 GW of dedicated charging capacity along major freight corridors. These figures represent planned national infrastructure rather than installed capacity currently available to operators.
Oreve is part of the Ortec Group and aims to develop 150 public charging stations across France by 2030. Its network is intended to accommodate passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks. The twelve additional sites being developed with ABB form part of that broader programme.
Remote equipment monitoring will provide operating information to support maintenance and technical assistance. Fault detection and system status information can help operators identify equipment requiring attention, although ABB has not published a specific availability guarantee or a quantified reduction in maintenance time for the new installations.
The combined 18 MW of planned charging capacity will be distributed across the twelve sites, with individual configurations determined by local requirements and development arrangements. The companies have not yet published the complete site list, individual power allocations, grid connection details, or public charging tariffs.
The programme is scheduled for full deployment by the end of 2028, with M-Series installations beginning in 2027. The final distribution of charging equipment and the availability of compatible trucks will determine how the additional network capacity can be used across France’s freight corridors. The agreement establishes the planned scale and principal technology choices, while detailed site commissioning arrangements remain outstanding.
