A Volvo FH Aero Electric charged at Plugit’s Kotka station on October 2, marking a step in the development of public charging infrastructure for heavy-duty electric transport.
Plugit says Finland’s first public Megawatt Charging System session took place at its PRO charging station in Kotka on October 2, 2026, using a Volvo FH Aero Electric truck.
According to the announcement, the truck supports charging at up to 700 kW and has a stated range of up to 700 km. Plugit did not disclose the charging power achieved during the session, its duration or the amount of energy delivered.
The event highlights the expansion of public charging options for heavy-duty electric vehicles. Plugit says public MCS charging is available at its stations in Kotka and Lieto as it develops a network serving freight routes and logistics hubs in Finland and Sweden.
MCS supports higher-power truck charging
The Megawatt Charging System is a charging system developed for heavy-duty vehicles that supports megawatt-level power. Its purpose is to help vehicles with large battery packs replenish energy during operational stops, including driver breaks.
Using an MCS connection does not necessarily mean a vehicle receives more than one megawatt. The Volvo truck used in Kotka has a stated maximum charging capability of 700 kW, while actual charging power depends on the vehicle, charging equipment and battery conditions.
The supplied announcement does not include a charging curve or state-of-charge window for the Kotka session, so it does not establish how much driving range was added during a particular charging period.
For more on high-power charging and the factors affecting charging performance, see EV Charging Magazine’s guide to ultrafast charging stations.
Plugit expands charging access for heavy-duty vehicles
Plugit reports around 350 public charging points across its network, including nine designed for heavy-duty vehicles. A tenth public heavy-duty charging point is under construction in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
Those figures refer to charging points as described in the announcement, rather than a confirmed count of separate charging locations.
The company is developing heavy-duty charging infrastructure along major transport routes and at logistics hubs. Its wider public network can also serve delivery vans and other smaller commercial vehicles.
Although MCS charging is available in Kotka and Lieto, the announcement does not provide a site-by-site breakdown of charger outputs or the number of MCS connections available.
Volvo FH Aero Electric combines long range with fast charging
The Volvo FH Aero Electric used in Kotka combines a stated range of up to 700 km with charging capability of up to 700 kW.
These are vehicle capabilities reported in the announcement, not measured results from the Kotka charging event. The release does not provide route conditions, payload or energy-consumption data associated with the range figure.
Plugit says charging was completed successfully using Volvo Open Charge and its charging equipment.
“Finland’s first public MCS charging session is a significant step towards the electrification of heavy goods transport in Finland,” said Janne Silvonen, Product Manager for Volvo’s electric lorries.
“A long operating range and fast MCS charging make electric trucks a viable option even for longer transport journeys. Volvo Open Charge, meanwhile, makes it easier to plan and pay for charging, which streamlines the use of electric trucks in day-to-day transport operations.”
Volvo Open Charge supports planning and payment
Plugit is a Volvo Open Charge partner in Finland. Available through the Volvo Connect fleet management system, the service helps transport operators find suitable charging stations, review charging information and plan charging around daily operations.
Charging can also be paid for through the service at participating stations. Available features can vary by market, operator and charging location, according to Volvo Trucks’ announcement about Volvo Open Charge in Finland.volvotrucks
The service is intended to simplify access to public charging, while the physical charging process still depends on the vehicle, compatible equipment and conditions at the station.
Finnish tour offers opportunities to see the truck
The truck is also being presented on Volvo Trucks’ “New Power on the Road 2026” tour, scheduled to visit 27 locations across Finland between October 6 and November 11. Plugit is participating at selected stops.
According to the supplied schedule, each location includes a breakfast briefing from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by test-drive opportunities from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Breakfast registration is required at least three working days in advance.
Registration details and the latest timetable are available on Volvo Trucks’ official tour page.
The Kotka session demonstrates the use of public MCS infrastructure with an electric heavy-duty truck. Further operational data would be needed to assess charging performance, reliability and the implications for specific long-distance freight routes.
FAQ: Plugit and Volvo’s Public MCS Charging Session
Where did Finland’s first public MCS charging session take place?
According to Plugit, the session took place at its PRO charging station in Kotka on October 2, 2026, using a Volvo FH Aero Electric truck.
What is the Megawatt Charging System?
MCS is a charging system developed for heavy-duty vehicles that supports megawatt-level power. It is intended to help vehicles with large batteries charge during operational stops, including driver breaks.
Did the Volvo truck charge at more than one megawatt?
The announcement does not report the power achieved during the session. It states that the truck supports charging at up to 700 kW. Using an MCS connection does not mean a vehicle necessarily receives more than one megawatt.
What range does the Volvo FH Aero Electric offer?
The announcement gives a range of up to 700 km for the truck used in Kotka. It does not provide the payload, route conditions or energy-consumption figures associated with that range.
Where does Plugit offer public MCS charging in Finland?
Plugit says public MCS charging is available at its stations in Kotka and Lieto.
How large is Plugit’s public charging network?
Plugit reports around 350 public charging points, including nine designed for heavy-duty vehicles. A tenth heavy-duty charging point is under construction in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
What does Volvo Open Charge provide?
Volvo Open Charge helps operators find suitable charging stations, review information, plan charging and pay at participating locations through the Volvo Connect ecosystem. Features can vary by market, operator and station.
