Dr. Kathrin Walz (left) is the project manager of the NETZlabor FlexCharge BW. She is supported by Nadine Eisinger (right in the image) as deputy project manager.
FlexCharge BW – NETZlabor E-Trucks
As battery-electric truck fleets grow, grid capacity is becoming one of the biggest constraints on depot charging—not only in Germany but across Europe and other major logistics markets. Fleet operators increasingly hear the same advice: engage with the local grid operator as early as possible. In a recent interview with electrive, Professor Markus Lienkamp of the Technical University of Munich described one of the ‘actually relevant questions’ as: ‘How quickly can logistics depots secure their grid connections or adjusted power supply levels?’
That puts distribution system operators at the centre of the transition. They must accommodate growing demand from heat pumps, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, data centres and renewable energy installations while maintaining grid stability. Germany’s electricity distribution network is unusually fragmented, with more than 860 distribution system operators (DSOs), making it a useful case study for the challenges of coordinating grid upgrades for transport electrification.
