FRYTE and SMATRICS are integrating charging infrastructure for electric trucks into logistics companies' route planning and will make reservations possible in the future
The partners are connecting depot and public charging infrastructure for electric trucks in Austria and Germany. This creates an open, cross-operator network for electric freight transport.
The SMATRICS Depot Club is already an existing network that connects logistics companies. Through the partnership with FRYTE, depot owners can now offer their infrastructure beyond the boundaries of the SMATRICS Club. FRYTE integrates not only the locations of the SMATRICS Depot Club but also public charging points operated by SMATRICS into logistics providers’ route and charging planning. With SMATRICS, FRYTE gains a full-service operator for the planning, construction, operation, and marketing of fast-charging infrastructure, drawing on over ten years of experience in electric mobility. SMATRICS is a subsidiary of VERBUND and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and operates approximately 20,000 charging points.
Depot and the public network are growing together
Logistics companies have access not only to public charging stations for their route planning but also to charging stations at semi-public depot locations. FRYTE makes both levels visible in logistics providers’ route and charging planning: Depot Club members make their charging infrastructure available via FRYTE, while drivers and dispatchers find suitable charging stations. The partnership thus expands the operator-agnostic FRYTE network to include another strong full-service CPO, rather than creating a closed system.
The Depot as an Economic Energy Hub
For logistics companies, the top priority at the depot is to charge electric trucks as needed and ensure they are available on schedule. For members of the Depot Club, this integration creates additional visibility and unlocks the potential for better utilization of existing infrastructure. As a result, the depot’s charging infrastructure can gradually evolve from a pure cost factor into an economic energy hub.
Standard Protocols as the Foundation for an Open E-Logistics Ecosystem
The technical foundation of the collaboration is OCPI, an open, standardized communication protocol for electric mobility. Since both partners rely on this industry standard, the integration of the charging points was implemented quickly.
In a first step, the locations were made visible and usable in route planning. Starting in 2027, it should also be possible to reserve selected charging points. Looking ahead, reservation data will also be transferred to the sites’ energy management systems to further safeguard grid and charging processes.
Maximilian Zähringer, CEO of FRYTE Mobility, explains:
“Charging infrastructure for electric trucks only works if it can be planned across operator boundaries—for dispatchers, what matters isn’t who operates the charging point, but whether it fits the route. With SMATRICS, we’re opening up access to charging points from depots to public fast-charging stations in Germany and Austria. Reservations are the next step we’re working on together.”
Sita Meek, Head of Product at SMATRICS, adds:
“Many of our depot customers want to open up their charging infrastructure for external use at specific times to maximize utilization. At the same time, however, access should be limited to certain user groups and focused on trucks. The partnership with FRYTE improves visibility and predictability. This is exactly how an open peer-to-peer ecosystem in e-logistics should work.”
Do you have any questions?
FRYTE CEO Maximilian Zähringer and SMATRICS Head of Product Sita Meek are available for interviews and background discussions.