Fleet charging solutions firm Fleete has begun construction on a commercial vehicle electric charging hub in the Port of Tilbury.
Completion on the scheme is targeted for December 2025, and it is one of the first works funded through the government’s Thames Freeport seed capital programme, advancing clean energy technology at the Port.
The £1 million in Freeport seed capital funding awarded to Fleete supports the development of a 5 megawatt (MW) electric commercial vehicle charging station with 16 rapid chargers that can serve up to 16 electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at once.
The investment will accelerate the Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, helping to improve air quality for local communities and supporting businesses capitalise on new opportunities in sustainable transport, driving economic growth and job creation, it said.
Strategically designed and located for large fleet operators, the Port of Tilbury EV 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, supplied by Heliox, and 4 chargers via the Voltempo HyperCharging Megawatt Charging System, funded through the eFREIGHT 2030 project.
It will also aims to provide fair and efficient sharing of grid capacity between Port of Tilbury tenants, using intelligent energy management systems, and accessibility to EV charging for fleets operating in and passing through the Port of Tilbury area.
Chris Morrison, Chief Investment Officer at Fleete said:
“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, along with significant funding from Thames Freeport, is a testament to their commitment to accelerating the shift to zero-emission fleets with this critical infrastructure development.
“This investment is a crucial step in building a net-zero logistics ecosystem and ensuring that the businesses in and around the Port of Tilbury have the resources they need to transition to cleaner transport alternatives.”
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris, said:
“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 customers’ operations.”
Thames Freeport CEO, Martin Whiteley, said:
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the largest commercial vehicle recharging hub in the 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 not only facilitating the transition to cleaner energy but also 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.”
Image courtesy of Fleete
