Construction has begun at the Port of Tilbury on a 5MW shared-user electric HGV charging hub approach for the 60-plus companies with commercial vehicle fleets registered as tenants at the port
The project is the first work funded by the UK Government under the Thames Freeport seed capital programme, which advances clean energy technology. The £1 million seed funding was awarded to Fleete to develop an electric HGV commercial vehicle electric charging hub featuring 16 rapid chargers for simultaneous use.
This investment will accelerate the Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, improve local air quality, and support sustainable transport.
Supporting the growing demands within the Thames Freeport programme
The electric HGV charging hub will serve as a vital charging point along the A14 corridor into London, alleviating the increasing traffic demand from significant developments within the Thames Freeport programme.
The Port of Tilbury is a key location for major transportation and logistics operations, with an estimated 3,000-6,000 HGVs passing through the port daily. It is home to over 60 companies with commercial vehicle fleets. Therefore, the demand for sustainable transport solutions is high. The new hub will directly address the barriers to fleet electrification.
Chris Morrison, Chief Investment Officer at Fleete, commented on the announcement: “We are delighted to begin work on the first of our network of shared electric HGV Charging Hubs throughout the UK, starting with our 5MW project at Tilbury which is expected to be the largest of its kind in the UK once fully operational. Our close collaboration with the Port of Tilbury and significant funding from Thames Freeport is a testament to their commitment to accelerating the shift to zero-emission fleets with this critical infrastructure development.”
The commercial electric charging hub will support green transport
The Port of Tilbury electric HGV charging hub will feature 12 ultra-fast chargers, each capable of delivering up to 360 kW of power, optimised for heavy goods vehicles and commercial fleets, fair sharing of grid capacity between the port’s tenants, and accessibility to EV charging for a variety of fleets.
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris commented: “I am incredibly pleased to see the progress Fleete has made with the help of £1 million of capital funding from the Freeports programme.
“The new hub marks an important step forward for Thames Freeport’s vision of becoming a leader in green transport, and it will help us deliver on our Plan for Change by securing economic growth and opportunities in the region for years to come.”
Peter Ward, Commercial Director at the Port of Tilbury (a major logistics centre for London and the South East) and a member of the Thames Freeport board, commented: “The Port of Tilbury EV Charging Hub will be a welcome addition to support the 6,000 HGVs that pass through the port every day, as we work to reduce the emissions impact of our customer’s operations.”
Thames Freeport CEO Martin Whiteley said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the largest commercial vehicle recharging hub at Thames Freeport. This milestone underscores our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the logistics and transportation sectors. By providing state-of-the-art recharging infrastructure capable of supporting a significant volume of commercial vehicles, we are facilitating the transition to cleaner energy and reinforcing Thames Freeport’s position as a leader in green growth and economic development. This hub is a testament to our vision of creating a future-ready, environmentally responsible logistics ecosystem.”
