A new electric truck from Belgium-based OEM Windrose has made its UK debut by charging at Fleete’s Port of Tilbury ultra-rapid charging hub.
The Windrose Global E700 6×4 tractor unit used Fleete’s newly opened 5MW charging facility, where it successfully completed its first ever UK charge.
The truck will now complete a nationwide tour of logistics sites and truck charging locations to demonstrate how long-range electric trucks can operate on UK routes using high-power infrastructure.
With a battery capacity of more than 700kWh, the truck uses a flexible four battery pack configuration designed for demanding freight duty cycles. Windrose said it can deliver a range of more than 700km when fully loaded and operating at high speeds.
The truck is both Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and CCS2-ready as standard, ensuring compatibility with high-power charging networks such as Fleete Tilbury. The 5MW site, capable of charging 16 electric trucks simultaneously, includes six Siemens Flex 540kW chargers and 12 Flex 500A dispensers across three charging islands. Each island can be upgraded to support Megawatt Charging System (MCS) capability.
The hub also includes four charging points powered by Power Electronics, featuring two NB cooled dispensers and one NB Station system, delivering up to 270kW per charging point, with upgrade capacity to 360kW.
Chris Morrison, CEO at Fleete, said:
“Hosting the first UK charge for the Windrose truck is a strong demonstration of what high-power infrastructure for heavy vehicles can deliver. Vehicles with battery capacity of this scale need high power infrastructure that can deliver energy quickly and reliably.
“Shared charging hubs like Fleete Tilbury are designed to provide exactly that as more fleets begin deploying electric trucks on longer routes.”
Justin Yu, Head of Northern Europe, Windrose Technology, said:
“Completing our first charge in the UK at Fleete’s Port of Tilbury hub is an important milestone for Windrose and a fitting place to begin the truck’s UK tour.
“Our aim is to demonstrate how the next generation of electric heavy trucks can work with high-power charging infrastructure across the UK, and the ultra-rapid capability here at Tilbury is exactly the kind of quality charging network operators will need. Shared charging hubs like this, with multiple ultra-rapid chargers in a strategic freight location, will play a key role in helping more fleets make the transition to electric vehicles.”
Image courtesy of Windrose
