From Construction Planning to Operation for Heavy Truck Charging Station

From 2021 to 2023, the new heavy-duty trucks powered by electricity, or the so-called new energy electric heavy-duty trucks, are selling like hot cakes. At the beginning, the number more than tripled from merely 10,000 to 34,560, and further increased to 57,074 in the first 10 months of 2024. The proportion of electric heavy-duty trucks in all heavy-duty trucks sold, that is, its penetration rate, has reached 7.6% up to now, which translates into over 150% YoY growth rate! It is generally speculated that by the end of 2024, sales of new energy electric heavy-duty trucks will top 70,000 units, with the penetration rate over the landmark of 8%.

The main reason for the trend? Policy support plays a crucial role as the purchase is subsidized, offering a great incentive towards new energy electric heavy trucks. Surging popularity urges us to accelerate the construction of more charging stations, otherwise the charging demand of new energy electric heavy trucks would far surpass the supply.

01 Definition of Heavy Truck Charging Station

Heavy truck charging piles are charging equipment specially serve large trucks, such as heavy trucks. Its working principle is actually like the charging piles used to charge small EVs. However, because the battery of a large truck is significantly larger, just like a big stomach, it has plenty room for "food", i.e. electricity, so the heavy truck charging pile must be a powerful "Hercules" with a particularly large power, so that the large truck can be quickly fully charged for continued load. Generally, heavy trucks are charged using the DC fast charging or supercharger, just like the fast charger block we use when we are in a hurry to use our mobile phones, so that the large truck can "eat" quickly and continue its work.

Growth drivers of the new energy heavy truck market:

The year 2024 has witnessed booming popularity of new energy trucks, with the sales on a continuous upward trajectory. This can be chiefly attributed to the government's favorable subsidy policy for new energy vehicles, which has effectively stimulated market demand. The government's implementation of such measures aims to incentivize the public to embrace more eco-friendly vehicles. This initiative is a critical step towards fostering environmental protection and facilitating the transition in energy consumption patterns, thus contributing to a more sustainable future. With the support of the government, people are more willing to buy new energy heavy trucks, which in turn leads to an abrupt surge in its popularity.

The urgency of charging station construction:

Considering the surging sales of new energy heavy trucks, there is an urgent need to accelerate the construction of more charging stations. Heavy truck charging piles are equivalent to the gas stations that enable these large vehicles to replenish their energy. Without an adequate number of charging facilities, the long-distance travel of such large trucks would be severely impeded. Hence, by establishing a more extensive network of charging piles, we can significantly enhance the willingness of the public to purchase and utilize new energy heavy trucks.

 02. Core components of heavy truck charging piles

1. Charging module: The core power conversion unit is like a "little electrician" whose job is to convert the volatile electricity used in our homes into always stable electricity.

2. Control System: The control system within the charging pile, which can be regarded as its "intelligent core", exhibits remarkable sophistication. Similar to a proficient commander, it undertakes the crucial tasks of monitoring, administrating, and precisely governing the entire charging operation, ensuring its smooth and efficient execution.

3. Charging port: This is like building a "bridge" between the heavy truck and the charging pile. This "bridge" can not only transmit electricity, allowing the heavy truck to charge, but also allow the two to "talk", that is, to exchange information for securing a smooth charging process.

4. Protective devices: This is like hiring a "bodyguard" for the charging process, who is specifically responsible for ensuring safety. It will always watch to prevent dangerous situations such as too high voltage, too much current, short circuit, and leakage. In the event of incidents, it will immediately take action to protect our equipment from damage.

5. Cooling System: This is equivalent to equipping the charging pile with a "thermal dissipator", which functions like a fan to disperse the heat generated during the charging process. By doing so, the charging pile can maintain optimal performance and operate smoothly, effectively preventing any potential issues arising out of overheating

03. Classification of Heavy Truck Charging Stations

1. Classification by installation method:

(1) Floor-mounted charging pile: Due to the heavy weight of the charger, it must be placed on the ground, because it is very stable and not prone to tip over. Consequently, it is ideal for outdoor use, without succumbing to the adverse effects of inclement weather conditions.

(2) Wall-mounted charging pile: This is like a small box hanging on the wall. It doesn't take up much space and is especially suitable for rooms with limited space.

(3) Mobile charging station: Extremely flexible and can be moved around as needed and placed anywhere. No matter what kind of charging place or what the requirements are, it can meet them.

2. Classification by charging power:

(1) Low power charging station: This charging method is like charging an EV slowly. Although it takes a little longer, it is very gentle to the power grid and will not suddenly give the grid a "surprise". Heavy trucks are like big stomachs, with appetites of different sizes. Some are satisfied with a "meal" of several dozen kilowatts, while others need a "big meal" of 360 kilowatts.

(2) High power charging pile: This type of charging is like “fast food" for heavy trucks. It has high power and charges very quickly. However, it also has higher requirements for the power grid, just like it needs to use more advanced "tableware". Heavy trucks also have a particularly large "appetite" and can only be satisfied with a "meal" of from 360kW, up to 1,200kW.

3.  Classification by charging method:

(1) DC charging pile: This is like having a "super transformer" that can directly convert the AC power into DC power that can be used by the car. It is very fast and has high power which is especially suitable for charging those "big" heavy trucks.

(2) AC charging pile: This is like equipping the car with a "little assistant" to send the AC power at home to this "little assistant", which then slowly converts it into DC power that the car can use. Although this will charge slower and with less power, the cost is relatively low. However, this method is generally not used for "big guys" such as heavy trucks, because they require faster charging speeds and greater power.

Please pay attention to the subsequent updates, to be continued...