Construction work is underway on a dedicated electric charging hub for commercial vehicles – believed to be the largest in the UK – at the Port of Tilbury in Essex.
The project, built by Fleete, is the first works funded by the UK government under the Thames Freeport seed capital programme, which aims to advances clean energy technology crucial to the Port of Tilbury’s drive toward net zero emissions. It’s scheduled for completion in December.
The £1m 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.
Serving as a vital ‘clean fuel’ charging point along the A13 corridor into London, the new facility will meet rising traffic demands from major developments within the Thames Freeport programme.
Chris Morrison, Fleete’s chief investment officer, 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.”
The largest of the Thames ports, the Port of Tilbury is a key location for major transportation and logistics operations with over 10,000 vehicle movements at port every day. With over 60 companies with commercial vehicle fleets registered as tenants at the port, including major hauliers and container transporters, the demand for sustainable transport solutions is more urgent than ever.
Currently the Port of Tilbury faces key challenges in decarbonising heavy transport including infrastructure limitations, land availability and grid capacity. Fleete’s new EV Charging Hub is intended to directly addresses these barriers to fleet electrification, providing a reliable, high-capacity charging solution.
Alex Norris, minister for local growth and building safety, said: “I am incredibly pleased to see the progress Fleete has made with the help of £1m 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.”
Welcome addition
Peter Ward, commercial director at the Port of Tilbury and a member of the Thames Freeport board, said: “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.”
Martin Whiteley, chief executive of Thames Freeport, added: “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.”
Main image: Aerial view of the Port of Tilbury
Read next: Football legends speak up for mental health in construction
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
