On Thursday 14 December Mayor Hubert Bruls of Nijmegen opened Cornelissen Groep's very first private commercial truck charging plaza. This pioneering initiative marks not only a milestone for sustainable transport in Nijmegen and its surroundings, but also for Cornelissen Groep as a forerunner in the Dutch market.
The charging plaza, located in the city where Cornelissen Groep has its origins, is strategically placed to supply Nijmegen and the surrounding area with zero-emission, zeroCO2 emissions. With 18 charging stations for heavy electric transport spread across Nijmegen, Zwolle and Tilburg, Cornelissen Groep is positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable transport.
The choice for electrification did not come out of the blue. Back in 2010, Cornelissen launched its first electric truck in Nijmegen, and although it was not immediately successful then, the company has not given up since then. With more than 40 electric trucks in the pipeline and an ambitious target of 50%CO2 reduction over the next five years, Cornelissen Groep shows its determination to embrace sustainability.
Vision on sustainable transport
Cornelissen Groep's vision of sustainable transport revolves around keeping vital chains moving responsibly. The company aims to have around 200 electric trucks in five years, with Bio-LNG also playing an important role. Gelderland's recent subsidy has significantly boosted the acceptance of Bio-LNG.
The unique charging plaza
What makes the charging plaza unique is not only the fact that it is one of the first in the Netherlands, but also its capacity and progressiveness. With fast chargers of 175KW, two trucks can be charged simultaneously in Nijmegen, while the locations in Tilburg and Zwolle can serve as many as eight trucks simultaneously.
Future plans
Cornelissen Groep, as a major employer in the Nijmegen region and far beyond, plans further expansion with new loading plazas under study, including locations in Beuningen and Rouveen. The company will also move part of its warehousing activities to Beuningen, where a purchase of 6 hectares of land will pave the way for further developments. Although the current loading plaza is not yet public, it is certainly being considered for future locations such as Beuningen and Rouveen.
