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FlexMCS
Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems, open software architectures, and planning modules creating multicharger hubs for the European Electric Mobility System
FLEXMCS designs and demonstrates highly energy-efficient megawatt charging hubs that accelerate the large-scale deployment of electric trucks in Europe through interoperable charging infrastructure, smart energy management, and flexible charging services.
Project information
Status
Ongoing
Duration
January 2025 - June 2028 (42 months)
Project type
Horizon Europe Innovation Action
Grant Agreement Number
101192657
Call
HORIZON-CL5-2024-D5-01
ALICE Project Manager
Factsheet
Related ALICE Thematic Group
Related Community
ALICE Electrificiation Community
Keywords
- Megawatt charging systems (MCS)
- Electric trucks
- Charging hubs
- TEN-T corridors
- Smart charging
Project overview
The transition to zero-emission road freight depends on the rapid deployment of high-power charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). However, Europe faces major challenges related to grid capacity constraints, high infrastructure investment costs, limited charging availability, interoperability issues, and lengthy deployment processes.
FLEXMCS addresses these barriers by developing and demonstrating a new generation of flexible megawatt charging hubs designed specifically for long-distance haul electric freight transport. The project combines advanced charging hardware, renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems, open software architectures, and planning tools to create scalable charging solutions that maximise infrastructure utilisation while minimising energy losses and grid impacts.
By enabling reliable, interoperable and affordable charging during drivers' mandatory rest periods, FLEXMCS contributes directly to the accelerated electrification of freight transport and the implementation of Europe's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
Objectives and expected outcomes
Objectives
FLEXMCS aims to:
01
Design and demonstrate highly energy-efficient megawatt charging hubs with flexible multiport charging systems for HDVs and light vehicles.
02
Improve charging hardware performance, reliability, scalability and interoperability for mass deployment.
03
Develop an Open Charging Framework enabling real-time data exchange between charging point operators, fleet operators, vehicles and energy systems.
04
Optimise charging infrastructure planning and installation through advanced modelling and deployment tools.
05
Integrate renewable energy generation, battery energy storage and smart energy management to reduce grid dependency.
06
Identify optimal locations for future megawatt charging hubs along TEN-T corridors.
07
Address technical and non-technical barriers related to permitting, grid access, standardisation and business models.
08
Identify optimal locations for future megawatt charging hubs along TEN-T corridors.
Expected results
Key project outcomes include:
01
Multiport megawatt charging systems ready for large-scale deployment.
02
A central interoperable Energy Management System (iEMS).
03
An Open Charging Framework supporting seamless data exchange and charger accessibility across Europe.
04
Charging reservation systems and route planning tools for logistics operators.
05
Predictive maintenance and asset lifetime assessment tools.
06
Planning tools for optimal location selection, automated hub design and sizing optimisation.
07
Business cases and deployment strategies supporting future charging hub investments.
08
Recommendations and guidelines for large-scale deployment of megawatt charging infrastructure.
Demonstrations, pilots and validation
FLEXMCS will validate its technologies through a six-month real-world demonstration at a dedicated megawatt charging hub in Karlsruhe, Germany.
The demonstration will include:
01
A 4 MW total peak power charging system.
02
Five MCS connectors for heavy-duty vehicles.
03
Eighteen CCS charging connectors for slower HDV and light passenger vehicle charging.
04
Integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
05
Renewable energy generation.
06
Operation of the central interoperable Energy Management System (iEMS), able to control all assets on the charging hub, creating maximum efficiency and minimum grid load.
07
Digital twin replica of the vehicle and the chargers technologies and operational optimisation tools.
The demonstration aims to serve an average of at least 20 vehicles per day while validating interoperability, operational performance, energy efficiency and business viability under real operating conditions.
Innovative solutions
BOSCH – Secure multi-point megawatt charging station
A flexible multiport megawatt charging solution designed to maximise charger utilisation while supporting interoperability between different vehicle and charging technologies.
Charging slots reservation and payment platform
A digital platform enabling the reservation and management of charging sessions, helping logistics operators optimise charging schedules and improve the utilisation of available charging infrastructure.
Dynamic Electric Vehicles route planning tool
A route planning solution that supports fleet managers and drivers by integrating charging availability and operational requirements into journey logistics mission planning for electric heavy-duty vehicles.
ALICE's role
ALICE represents the logistics ecosystem within FLEXMCS and ensures that the project's innovations respond to real stakeholder needs.
ALICE is responsible for:
- Collecting user requirements and identifying deployment barriers, while ensuring alignment between project developments and logistics industry needs.
- Contributing to charging infrastructure deployment strategies.
- Supporting stakeholder engagement throughout the project.
- Establishing and coordinating an extended Stakeholder Group.
- Expanding stakeholder engagement reach into Transmission System Operators (TSOs), Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and Charging Point Operators (CPOs).
- Leading dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.
- Supporting the development of viable business perspectives and models for future megawatt charging deployment.
Why ALICE is part of FLEXMCS
The project directly supports ALICE's ambition to enable an affordable and practical transition towards zero-emission logistics. FLEXMCS addresses the critical interactions between vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy systems and logistics operations that are necessary for large-scale freight electrification.
Related project contributions
- Contribution to discussions supporting the implementation and review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
- Stakeholder recommendations regarding grid readiness, charging deployment and heavy-duty vehicle electrification.
- Can we link our deliverable?
Project resources
Project consortium
The project consortium is coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and includes 14 additional partners representing different stakeholders.
Partners
Hitachi Energy Poland Sp. z o.o, Alpitronic, JEMA Energy S.A., Bosch Service Solutions GmbH, Bosch Mobility Platform & Solutions GmbH, Stichting ElaadNL, Alfen BV, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Applus IDIADA Automotive Technology S.A., Ricardo-AEA Ltd, Ricardo GmbH, TNO, DAF Trucks N.V., IVECO S.p.A., Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE), Gruber Logistics S.p.A., Hitachi Energy Ltd.
ALICE members in the consortium
VUB, TNO and GRUBER
Related news
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Related events
[Workshop] From evidence to policy: AFIR targets and grid readiness for zero-emission truck charging
The European Commission's review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation ...
[Webinar] Automotive Partnership and EURIAS expert group
The European Automotive Partnership preparation has reached an important milestone ...
[Workshop] Exploring AFIR implementation challenges and grid readiness for truck charging
The rollout of truck charging infrastructure along the TEN-T network ...
[MACBETH Validation Workshop] Stakeholder interviews on MCS deployment
The MACBETH project invites you to a high-impact stakeholder workshop ...
EU funding
FLEXMCS has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101192657. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.