Building something that truly matters 

Milence is on a mission to build Europe’s leading charging network for electric trucks, but behind the ambition lies a woman who didn’t wait for direction. In 2021, Anja van Niersen was invited to advise on a new joint venture between Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and TRATON. Backed by €500 million, the mandate was clear: enable zero-emission freight across Europe. Yet in a sector with no roadmap, someone had to start drawing one from scratch.

Anja did more than advise. She stepped in, rolled up her sleeves with the founding team, and built Milence from the ground up. From legal frameworks and stakeholder alignment to strategic vision and execution, she and her first colleagues laid the foundations of a unique charging company that now operates across Europe. By 2030, Milence aims to deliver at least 1,700 high-performance charging points, not for PR, but to meet real needs in logistics and freight.

So, who is this person behind this bold build? In this conversation with Paul Jan Jacobs (founder of EVBoosters), Anja reveals how a quiet, curious childhood became the basis. How moments of personal confrontation, including one with her son, sparked major professional decisions. And how self-awareness, more than certainty, became her biggest strength.

She talks candidly about slowing down to bring others along, about listening deeply, and why integrity is non-negotiable — even if it costs speed. Her story isn’t about chasing the spotlight. It’s about building something that truly matters, and staying grounded at all times while doing it.