Amazon and Shell are piloting a system in Germany that allows for the advance booking of electric truck chargers.
Electrifying heavy-duty transport presents a challenge that goes beyond mere truck range; it requires strategies to ensure viable charging along routes subject to time constraints. In such operations, determining the location and timing of a vehicle's connection in advance is crucial—often just as important as having sufficient power capacity.
Amazon and Shell are rolling out a solution in Germany designed specifically to reduce this uncertainty, enabling the e-commerce giant's transport partners to pre-book specific public chargers for electric trucks. The initiative is being implemented across several corridors used by the company and is part of the broader electrification of its logistics network.
Charging stops can be secured before the route begins.
The system is part of the "Home-away-from-Home" project developed by Shell and is initially available to carriers working with Amazon at select locations. What sets it apart from conventional stations is the ability to reserve a charging slot before the vehicle arrives. This feature allows the charging stop to be factored into route planning in advance.
The infrastructure is specifically designed for heavy-duty vehicles and features liquid-cooled chargers with a 400 kW capacity. Facilities are currently available in Hanover and Kirchheim, with another planned for Koblenz. Shell also notes that the booking system allows charging to be coordinated with mandatory driver rest periods, thereby minimizing the impact on truck availability.
Identification, access, and billing are handled via the Shell Card, which also provides access to compatible infrastructure for commercial vehicles. Across Europe, the company offers four Shell Recharge stations specifically designed for trucks, over 30 multi-energy sites, and more than a hundred partner-operated locations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles.
Amazon accelerates the rollout of electric trucks in Germany.
The project’s implementation coincides with a significant increase in the electric fleet associated with Amazon in the country, where its partners already operate more than 45 battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Trucks began delivering the first eActros 600 units this month—part of an order exceeding 200 vehicles—with over 50 scheduled to operate within Amazon’s German network before the end of 2026.
The US company aims to complement the chargers located at its logistics facilities with public charging points along major routes—a combination that extends the vehicles' operating range without relying solely on its own depots. Meanwhile, Shell is integrating reservation systems like Book&Charge into its network, enabling companies to coordinate charging sessions with rest periods and daily fleet scheduling.
