To strengthen competitiveness and advance its sustainability strategy, Barbero Transports has installed four ultra-fast electric charging points from French manufacturer Chargepoly at its headquarters in Saint-Laurent-du-Var (06).
When it comes to greener transport, Barbero isn’t slowing down. The family-run company, specialising in refrigerated and industrial freight, is pressing ahead with its energy transition, with the dual aim of satisfying customers and opening up new markets.
In 2020, Barbero inaugurated a 32,000 m² cold-storage logistics hub at its head office, powered partly by an on-site solar farm for energy self-consumption. The haulier has already converted its fleet to renewable fuels: today, 80% of tractors and 70% of rigid trucks run on B100 biofuel, with refrigeration units powered by nitrogen.
Taking a further step, Barbero has invested in four 100% electric rigid trucks equipped with cryogenic refrigeration units (two 16-tonne and two 26-tonne), a world first in freight transport, along with the installation of an ultra-fast charging station provided by Chargepoly. This strategic choice came naturally, recommended by a long-standing OEM partner, a well-known car manufacturer with a diamond-shaped logo.
300 kW of installed power
Always quick to adopt innovation, Barbero is the first haulier to rely on Chargepoly’s smart charging technology. Commissioned in September, the new station offers 300 kW of installed capacity, distributed dynamically across four chargers dedicated to Barbero’s electric trucks.
Every evening, fleet managers oversee the charging process: as soon as vehicles return at 9 p.m., they are plugged in and the system distributes power intelligently to ensure that by 6 a.m., all four trucks are fully charged and ready for morning deliveries. Routes include supermarkets, local grocery shops and home deliveries within the department.
At lunchtime, the trucks return to base for a 30-minute top-up, providing around 20% extra range, before heading back out in the afternoon to deliver industrial freight. The station can recharge two trucks simultaneously from 20% to 100% in just two hours.
Proven results
More than six months after installation, the results speak for themselves.
“No significant incidents,” reports Anthony Rocquencourt, Training and Safety Manager at Barbero. “The chargers are reliable and fully operational, enabling us to guarantee customer satisfaction with 100% decarbonised vehicles that also operate silently in city centres, a real benefit for local residents and our drivers.”
Rocquencourt also highlights the support provided throughout the project: “The Chargepoly team were involved at every stage of installation.” Encouraged by these results, Barbero is already planning its next step: in May, the company will trial its first electric tractor unit for regional and national deliveries, a move that will require additional Chargepoly charging stations.
About Chargepoly
Founded in 2019 by CEO Hadi Moussavi, Chargepoly is an industrial French Tech company whose mission is to accelerate the electrification of transport through innovation. The firm designs, develops and operates a new generation of ultra-fast charging infrastructure for demanding sectors such as logistics, public transport and large-scale public hubs.
Designed for intensive use, its patented technology addresses customer performance needs, user convenience and energy supply constraints, while ensuring high reliability and scalability. Chargepoly provides bespoke turnkey EV charging projects, covering equipment supply, licences and a full range of services – up to and including station operation.
Chargepoly already serves leading truck manufacturers, freight operators and public hubs in Clermont-Ferrand and Aix-en-Provence. The company has also signed a framework agreement with a global logistics leader to equip its European depots and has ambitions to expand further in Europe and North America.
Awarded at CES Las Vegas 2022 in the “Mobility” category and a finalist in the INPI innovation awards, Chargepoly partners with Vedecom Institute, Sprint Project and AVERE France.
Based at the Environmental Technology Park in Aix-en-Provence, Chargepoly currently employs more than 30 engineers and business developers in France and the United States (Seattle).
FRENCH CHARGEPOLY PRESS CONTACT :
Julien Eloy, Agence WEPA
T. +33 6 63 01 13 76 – M. julien.eloy@agencewepa.com