BE 
EN 
NL 
The clock is ticking. High-voltage grid connections for EV depots now take 18–24 months across Benelux. Transformer shortages hit logistics hubs first, delaying e‑truck fleet rollouts.
If you develop or operate charging infrastructure, grid capacity affects your timeline directly.
Why grid capacity is the bottleneck
E‑truck depots need 1–5 MW operational on day one. DSOs prioritise hospitals and rail, meaning commercial sites wait 12+ months for transformers and 9 months for approvals. Power availability now determines project success, not charger delivery.
Key deadlines you should know
- Q1 2026: Elia/TenneT publish updated capacity maps
- Mid 2026: Transformer orders needed for 2027 delivery
- 2027: Smart charging mandatory at sites >1 MW
- 2028: Dynamic load management required for all large depots
Who is affected
- Logistics operators planning e‑truck depots
- CPOs scaling to 500 kW+ corridors
- Site owners hosting charging infrastructure
- EPC contractors handling HV integration
What grid-ready solutions exist
- Early DSO feasibility studies
- Framework agreements reserving transformer capacity
- Modular HV cabins (2–10 MVA)
- Phased connections with battery buffering for Day 1 operation
How to prepare
- Request DSO feasibility 18 months before groundbreaking
- Model 5‑year load growth
- Secure transformer reservations now
- Partner with EPCs managing civil works through grid handover