Fleete opens UK’s largest commercial EV charging hub

Fleete has officially opened the UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at the Port of Tilbury.

Fleete opens UK’s largest commercial EV charging hub

The 5 megawatt (MW) facility features 16 ultra-rapid chargers enabling up to 16 electric HGVs to charge simultaneously.

This site is the first of a network of shared commercial vehicle charging hubs, designed to accelerate fleet electrification across the UK by providing high-powered charging at strategic logistics locations without the need for costly, time-consuming depot upgrades.

Fleete’s new hub, delivered in partnership with the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport, is supported by £1 million ($1.35 million) from the UK Government’s Thames Freeport Seed Capital Programme, with further funding provided by the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme, funded by the Department for Transport in partnership with Innovate UK.

The investment marks an important step in the Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, supporting cleaner air for local communities, enabling businesses to capitalise on new opportunities in sustainable transport and contributing to economic growth and job creation.

Strategically located at one of the UK’s busiest multimodal freight hubs, Fleete’s facility serves the growing number of zero emission HGVs operating in and through the Port of Tilbury and along the A13 corridor into London.

It also supports national infrastructure programmes including the Lower Thames Crossing, where major contractors are switching to electric vehicles to reduce emissions on one of the country’s largest infrastructure construction projects.

The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Fleete, project partners and fleet customers, with the hub formally opened by Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock.

Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock, said: “Today is an important moment for Thurrock and for the wider move towards cleaner freight.

“The opening of Fleete’s electric HGV charging hub here at the Port of Tilbury, the largest dedicated hub of its kind in the UK, highlights what can be achieved through strong partnership between industry, government and Thames Freeport.

“This investment supports cleaner transport, improves air quality for our communities, and reinforces Thurrock’s role in adopting practical, forward-looking low-carbon solutions.”

Last May, Forth Ports, owner of the Port of Tilbury, announced plans to expand the Thames-based port with a new development, Tilbury3 (T3), on a 100-acre brownfield site next to Tilbury2 (T2).