Fleete starts construction on major UK commercial vehicle electric charging hub at Port of Tilbury

Fleete has unveiled its first major project in the UK with the development of a dedicated commercial vehicle rapid electric charging hub, believed to be the largest in the country.

Located at the Port of Tilbury, Fleete is pioneering a 5MW shared-user charging hub approach for the 60-plus companies with commercial vehicle fleets registered as tenants at the port, including major hauliers and container transporters. It will also be available to HGV fleets operating around or passing through the port, subject to Fleete’s terms and conditions. 

The project – which has now commenced construction - is the first works funded by the UK government under the Thames Freeport seed capital programme, which advances clean energy technology crucial to the Port of Tilbury’s drive toward net-zero emissions.

The £1 million seed funding awarded to Fleete will develop an electric commercial vehicle charging station featuring 16 rapid chargers for simultaneous HGV use. This investment accelerates Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, improving local air quality while helping businesses capitalise on sustainable transport opportunities, driving economic growth and creating jobs.

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, 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.” 

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.  

The largest of the Thames ports, 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 each 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 it faces key challenges in decarbonising heavy transport including infrastructure limitations, land availability, and grid capacity.

Fleete’s new EV Charging Hub directly addresses these barriers to fleet electrification, providing a reliable, high-capacity charging solution. 

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 customers’ 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 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."

Fleete is committed to overcoming the logistical and financial challenges of fleet electrification through its shared infrastructure hubs and software platform that make sustainable transport more accessible and cost-effective. Chris Morrison concluded: “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.”