Gridserve has opened two of the UK’s first public electric HGV charging hubs this week and is set to open another seven public eHGV charging hubs this year, as part of the Electric freightway project.
The company, which specialises in electric vehicle charging networks, is leading the Electric Freightway consortium, which aims to roll out a major charging network for eHGVs by 2030, which will be known as the Electric Freightway. The project is part of the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme (ZEHID).
The two newly launched charging hubs are located at the Extra Baldock services at J10 of the A1(M) and the Moto Exeter services at J30 of the M5.
Extra Baldock opens with six dedicated eHGV charging bays, while Moto Exeter launches with four. All are drive-through lanes that are able to accommodate the largest of loads.
As part of the programme, the Electric Freightway team conducted swept-path analyses at each site, designed new lighting schemes and installed 350kW-capable chargers which can refuel trucks on either side.
To mark the opening, Gridserve worked with DAF and its XF Electric truck to complete the motorway run from Moto Exeter to Extra Baldock, before a formal launch attended by members of the DfT.
Sam Clarke, head of the Electric Freightway programme, said: “This is a proud day for the Electric Freightway and indeed for the UK. This is the start of a nationwide network for electric trucks as we support the decarbonization of the largest vehicles in road transport.”
Daniel Kunkel, Gridserve’s chief executive, said: “Electric freight isn’t some distant future concept anymore, it’s a live, operational reality. The same company that gave us the Electric Highway for cars is now doing the same thing for trucks.”
