Aral pulse: First HPC chargers for cars and trucks on the European corridor A6
The location of the 24-Autohof on the A6 motorway is not only one of the most distinctive locations in Europe from a traffic perspective, being at the center of the Paris-Prague and Hamburg-Milan routes, but it is also distinguished by its unique supply offering in Europe, making Bad Rappenau a location of superlatives. As early as 2013, the family-operated business “24-Autohöfe” from Regensburg brought the American electromobility pioneer Tesla with six Superchargers to the German motorway for the first time - to the A6 in Bad Rappenau. Just four years later, the first passenger car hydrogen filling station in Baden-Württemberg was opened – also in Bad Rappenau. Now the next milestone follows with partner Aral pulse: The commissioning of the first two public fast-charging stations also for commercial freight transport. This closes an important network gap on the highly frequented A6 between Nuremberg and Heidelberg near Heilbronn.
3.1 billion tons of goods are transported by trucks annually
The German truck fleet recently counted over 3.8 million vehicles, with an upward trend. The majority are powered by combustion engines. In order for battery-electric trucks to replace combustion-engine models in the demanding logistics business without compromising efficiency, a powerful and nationwide charging infrastructure tailored to freight traffic is necessary. Aral currently operates 26 locations for truck charging across Germany with its e-mobility brand Aral pulse. In 2023, the "first truck charging corridor in Europe" was inaugurated by Aral pulse along the Rhine-Alps corridor. The two e-truck fast chargers at the 24-Aral Autohof in Bad Rappenau, with a capacity of up to 300 kilowatts (kW), allow drivers to obtain power for up to 200 kilometers in about 45 minutes.
"In medium and heavy-duty transport, electrification plays an important role in reducing fleet emissions. For this, a powerful charging infrastructure is needed, which we are establishing at our truck charging locations along the traffic axes," explains Alexander Junge, Aral's board member for electromobility. But even electric car drivers can look forward to eight new fast-charging points of the Aral pulse brand at the Bad Rappenau location – according to the Connect Ladenetztest 2024, Germany's best fast-charging provider, for the second time in a row and the only provider with a rating of "Very good".
Overall, Aral pulse now operates more than 3,200 charging points across around 450 locations throughout Germany.
Service Areas as Important Partners
Service areas play a key role in the mobility transition due to their excellent accessibility from both motorway directions as well as from the region. Especially during the ramp-up of electric passenger cars, service areas were indispensable for creating a comprehensive charging network along the motorway. According to an analysis by the Association of German Service Areas e.V., E-car drivers can today expect an average of ten ultra-fast charging points at a service area, while on average only two are available at one of the federal motorway rest stops. With the now beginning development of the extremely capital-intensive charging infrastructure for heavy-duty traffic, the system and location differences are of even greater importance.
Daniel Ruscheinsky, managing director of 24 service areas, describes the advantages of service areas from the perspective of the industry as follows: “Due to their typical location in commercial and industrial areas, the necessary network technical developments are already in place or at a very short distance. In addition, rapid implementation is possible as spaces are available and permits are unproblematic since they are already commercial areas.”
Furthermore, service areas are particularly characterized by their high-quality parking management and service offering: Monitored truck parking spaces, lighting, 24-hour catering, and clean sanitary facilities are just some of the many features that long-distance truck drivers appreciate during long journeys.
“Anyone who wants to pave the way for the ramp-up of battery-electric trucks must start with the initial charging network at the most attractive and efficient locations. Only if a sales location is attractive and reliable will it be accepted," explained Ruscheinsky, who can draw on 37 years of experience in the development of service areas and is pleased with the successful milestone in the Baden-Württemberg spa town of Bad Rappenau.
In the near future, further settlements from the "mobility of the future" sector are to follow at the location of the 24-Aral service area. Meanwhile, the newly acquired battery-electric customers enjoy an extensive range of gastronomy and services from Coffee Fellows, Subway, and the 24-Fresh gastronomy, as well as the adjoining quick-food operations McDonald's and Burger King.
Translated automatically from German.Elektromobilität , Newsletter Elektromobilität , IAA Mobility , SUVs und Geländewagen , Hybrid , Antriebsarten, Kraftstoffe und Emissionen , Oberklasse- und Sportwagen , Carsharing , Autonomes Fahren (Straßenverkehr) , Ladeinfrastruktur , Verkehrspolitik , Formel E , Brennstoffzellen , Fahrzeug-Vernetzung und -Kommunikation , Fahrzeuge & Fuhrpark , Automotive-Messen & Veranstaltungen , Pkw, Kompakt- und Mittelklasse , Minis und Kleinwagen , E-Auto-Datenbank, E-Mobilität-/Automotive-Newsletter, E-Auto-Tests