France’s first dedicated charging corridor for heavy vehicles has been launched between Paris and Lyon, featuring five high-power charging stations established by APRR and Engie’s subsidiary, Vianeo. Positioned roughly every 150 kilometers along major routes. These stations offer up to 480 kW of charging power via CCS connectors, enabling fast, efficient charging for electric trucks. Each location includes backup chargers to ensure constant availability.
The stations along this corridor will vary slightly in equipment but will provide consistent power output to accommodate fleet needs. Vianeo has plans to extend this network with 11 additional stations next year, with new sites such as Sommesous between Reims and Troyes and Dardilly near Lyon. Furthermore, the corridor is future-proofed for megawatt charging systems (MCS), set to support the next generation of long-haul electric trucks with ranges exceeding 500 kilometers.
Established in 2023, Vianeo is Engie’s brand for charging infrastructure, aiming to install 12,000 EV charging points across France by 2025, including those for heavy-duty vehicles. As part of the Paris-Lyon corridor, APRR and Vianeo have introduced a reservation system to enable logistics companies to pre-book charging slots, ensuring a streamlined charging experience. This corridor, designed primarily for truck fleets with a range of around 300 kilometers, also supports newer long-haul trucks. With this initiative, APRR expands its role from equipping highways with EV charging stations for light vehicles to now include sustainable solutions for heavy-duty and long-distance transport.
