Search: Fraunhofer ISE

A Fraunhofer ISE and Streck Transportgesellschaft report finds that combining solar PV (averaging 2.3 MW on one quarter of available roof area), 1 to 2 MWh battery storage and energy management systems can reduce electricity costs at German electric truck chargepoints by 62.5 per cent. The study ran 140 simulations across six scenarios, from 2 to 80 electric trucks, to identify the most cost effective charging infrastructure configurations. The research addresses a key barrier to wider HGV electrification in Germany, where vehicles are now sufficiently affordable and capable but charging infrastructure remains limited.

Why it matters: Procurement teams planning depot or hub charging for electric fleets can now benchmark a proven 62.5 per cent electricity cost saving through onsite generation and storage, making the business case for heavy duty charging infrastructure significantly stronger. The specific system sizing (2.3 MW solar, 1 to 2 MWh BESS) offers a replicable template for tenders and feasibility studies across similar logistics sites.

The HV-MELA-BAT project, coordinated by Fraunhofer ISE in Germany, has developed power-electronic converters for XXL EV charging aimed at heavy-duty and passenger transport requiring higher currents and voltages. Four galvanically isolated modular DC/DC converters, each transferring over 250kW, can be connected in parallel to deliver 1MW charging power. The isolated converters operate at switching frequencies up to 200kHz, achieving 9kW/l volumetric power density and 99% efficiency.

Why it matters: The modular 1MW system addresses grid capacity and power-electronics challenges for ultra-fast heavy-duty charging, offering CPOs and depot operators a scalable architecture for megawatt-scale infrastructure. High efficiency and compact design reduce installation footprint and operating costs in commercial fleet applications.

A Fraunhofer Institute study of 1 million plug in hybrid vehicles in Germany found grid power accounted for less than a third of total energy use, with most PHEVs plugged in occasionally or not at all. Toyota drivers achieved the highest electricity usage at 44% of driving energy, while Porsche PHEV owners averaged just 0.8%, charging their batteries to less than 50% capacity once over two years. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently defended PHEVs as an efficient way to reduce fleet wide CO2 emissions, but the research challenges claims that plug in hybrids deliver on efficiency promises.

Why it matters: The findings undermine the business case for workplace and public PHEV charging infrastructure if drivers rarely plug in, potentially redirecting investment towards battery electric vehicle charging networks. For procurement teams evaluating fleet electrification, the data suggests PHEVs may not deliver expected emissions reductions without guaranteed charging behaviour.