Iberdrola and Disfrimur start tests of the first Mediterranean Corridor for emission-free heavy road transport

Iberdrola has begun testing the first electrification project for the Mediterranean Corridor, which it is leading together with the road freight transport company Disfrimur and the company specialising in power electronics, Ingeteam, to accelerate the decarbonisation of freight transport, which is responsible for 29% of emissions in the sector.

With this action, significant progress has been made in the various milestones of the project, such as the acquisition of 27-tonne 100% electric Scania trucks and the development of public charging infrastructure through stations equipped with very high-powered chargers to cover intercity routes.

As a first step, Iberdrola's ultra-fast charging station in Elche has been adapted, the most powerful charging hub for electric vehicles in southern Europe, equipped with Ingeteam equipment, which will have specific places for trucks in the charging stations located in the service area at km 25 of the A70 motorway, with a power of 400 kW in the direction of Murcia and another place of 200 kW in the direction of Alicante.

Regarding the installation of charging points at Disfrimur's logistics bases in San Isidro (Alicante) and Sangonera La Seca (Murcia) -which will be open for public use-, it is currently in the final stages of the administrative process and the plan is to start up the first phase, with two chargers of up to 180 kW per base, in the last quarter of 2022, and subsequently expand to one megawatt (1.000 kW of power that will allow trucks with 200-600 kWh batteries to be charged in 20-30 minutes.

It should be noted that the MCS (Megawatt Charging System) has recently been officially launched with the new specific connector for trucks and coaches. The global standard is expected to be completely ready in 2024 and Ingeteam is already working on the implementation of the first charging equipment compatible with the new standard with a power of 1.2 MW.

This type of infrastructure will allow very high recharging speeds, essential for the electrification of long-distance freight and passenger transport or for 24/7 freight distribution services, which will revolutionise road freight transport in the short and medium term.

First emission-free journeys

In September, Disfrimur will put into service two 27-ton Scania trucks with which it will cover the route from the logistics base of San Isidro to Alicante and Murcia, powered by 100% renewable energy, which will allow it to carry out last-mile deliveries to its customers without any emissions. The two electric trucks have a 300-kWh battery which allows them to travel 250 km on a single charge.

Among Scania's various solutions for decarbonising transport, electrification is a proven option for urban distribution and is already a reality for medium and long-haulage as well. Electric vehicles have the capacity for 100% emission-free transport and are completely silent in operation.

These are the first steps towards the creation of the first Mediterranean Corridor for 100% electric heavy road transport, which will run through the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community.

In addition to the charging stations planned in Disfrimur's logistics centres, the development will be accompanied by the deployment of on-road chargers and other logistics bases of the transport company to cover the entire route between Puerto Lumbreras (Region of Murcia) and Benicarló (Castellón). A total of more than 450 kilometres of emission-free freight transport routes, with the aim of extending the project to the rest of the country's freight corridors in the coming years.

The initiative also requires the development of a smart grid infrastructure to service these chargers, ensuring maximum efficiency, which is being provided by i-DE, the distribution company in the area.

Electric mobility and green recovery

Iberdrola is rolling out a sustainable mobility plan, with an investment of 150 million euros, with which it will intensify the deployment of charging points for electric vehicles in the coming years. The initiative envisages the installation of close to 150,000 charging points in homes and businesses, as well as on urban roads, in cities and on the main motorways over the next few years. The commitment to the deployment of high-efficiency stations will take the form of ultra-fast (over 350 kW), super-fast (over 150 kW) and fast (50 kW) stations.

The company is aware of the need to promote electromobility in Spain through coordinated and effective action with the main agents involved. In this regard, the company has already completed more than 50 infrastructure deployment agreements with administrations, institutions, companies, service stations, dealers and electric vehicle manufacturers.