Scaling Logistics Through Reliable Charging
As the transition to electrified heavy-duty transport accelerates, the reliability of charging infrastructure has become as important as the vehicles themselves. Norwegian food wholesaler ASKO has solidified its commitment to sustainable logistics by signing a comprehensive service and maintenance agreement with ABB E-Mobility. This deal marks a significant shift in their relationship, moving beyond simple hardware installation to a model of full-lifecycle operational support for ASKO’s massive electric truck fleet.
ASKO, which manages a fleet of roughly 700 trucks to supply over 1,800 grocery stores across Norway, has set an ambitious target to transition its transport operations away from fossil fuels. With roughly 200 of its trucks expected to be fully electric by the end of 2025, the company is treating charging uptime as a mission-critical utility. By outsourcing the monitoring and maintenance of its high-power charging network to ABB, ASKO aims to eliminate potential bottlenecks that could disrupt its supply chain operations.
Building on Years of Collaborative Growth
The partnership between the two firms dates back to 2019, forming the backbone of a network that now boasts more than 60 active high-power chargers spread across seven major Norwegian cities. The scale of this operation is impressive: these systems have collectively delivered over 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy to the fleet. Notably, demand is surging, with 5.5 GWh delivered in the last year alone, illustrating the rapid adoption of e-trucks in the region.
Why it matters
- Operational Continuity: Logistics firms cannot afford downtime. Proactive maintenance ensures that electric trucks are charged and ready on schedule, preventing the ripple effects of missed deliveries.
- Network Maturation: Transitioning from purely installing hardware to managing service contracts reflects the industry’s evolution from the "pilot phase" to large-scale, full-time commercial deployment.
- Energy Throughput: The delivery of 20 GWh to date highlights the viability of heavy-duty electric transport when backed by robust, high-power charging infrastructure.
The infrastructure includes advanced systems such as the ABB A400 fast charger, which provides up to 400 kW of power, ensuring that massive battery packs in long-haul trucks can be replenished quickly. While ASKO also utilizes equipment from other suppliers—most notably Kempower, which has installed 190 CCS and two Megawatt Charging System (MCS) points across 13 depots—the ABB service agreement provides a centralized, expert-led approach to system health. As the industry moves toward higher power standards like the 1.2 MW capacities already present at the Vestby site, the role of experienced technical partners like ABB becomes vital in managing such high-energy, complex electrical environments.
