EV fleet solutions firm amphos has delivered on of Scotland’s first megawatt-scale charging hub for electric heavy goods vehicles for John G. Russell (Russell Group).
Delivered with funding from Innovate UK, the North Lanarkshire based project brings megawatt charging into real-world operation, demonstrating how high-power infrastructure can transform fleet efficiency at scale.
Live from May 2026, the system enables ultra-fast charging, with HGVs able to recharge in around 40 minutes using current Combined Charging System (CCS) charging technology.
Planned Megawatt Charging System (MCS) upgrades in July 2026 are expected to reduce charging times to around 20 minutes – comparable to a standard driver rest break. Each charging unit, manufactured by Vestel Mobility, delivers up to 3.75 megawatts of high-voltage DC power.
The project supports Russell Group’s commitment to reach net zero by 2040 across its transport and warehousing operations. Russell Group will use the new battery-electric HGVs on services in Scotland, with return trips to Russell’s Coatbridge rail hub carrying customer deliveries for onward rail transport. This complements existing electric-locomotive freight service from Daventry to Coatbridge.
The new 4×2 tractor units are capable of carrying full 42-tonne loads and deliver a range of more than 430 km per charge. To support the new fleet, Russell Group is installing two 720 kW double-port chargers and one 1.2 MW double-port charger.
The hub is only the second of its kind in the UK and the first in Scotland. It follows the UK’s first megawatt charging site at East Midlands Gateway in January 2026, where units deliver up to 1MW.
Stephen Madden, Head of Engineering at Russell Group, said:
“Megawatt charging allows us to bring a heavy goods vehicle in, charge it during a driver’s break, and send it straight back out fully charged. It’s highly efficient – and that transforms how we operate electric vehicles at scale.
“We see this as a model for future megawatt charging infrastructure. This isn’t just about one site – it’s about building a scalable foundation for zero-emission logistics in the UK and beyond.”
Mark Oxtoby, CEO of amphos, said:
“This project marks a pivotal moment for electric freight in the UK. Moving from 1 MW to 3.75 MW charging isn’t just an upgrade – it’s a step-change that brings fully electric, high-utilisation HGV fleets within reach for fleet operators up and down the country.”
Image of Stephen Madden at Russell Group
