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Charging solutions provider Fleete has officially broken ground on its flagship commercial vehicle EV charging hub at the Port of Tilbury in Essex, marking a key step in the project’s progress.
Fleete’s 5 MW shared user charging hub, which is partly funded by a £1m grant from the government under the Thames Freeport seed capital programme, is scheduled to go live in December.
The hub will offer 16 rapid chargers for simultaneous use – 12 supplied by Heliox and four via Voltempo, funded through the eFREIGHT 2030 project.
Chris Morrison, Fleete chief executive, said: “Breaking ground at Port of Tilbury is more than a construction milestone, it’s a clear demonstration of how government seed funding capital can crowd-in multiple more funds from private capital to build the sustainable infrastructure the UK needs.
“Working together with the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport, this high-capacity shared user hub directly tackles some of the key barriers to fleet electrification, and we are delighted to see it coming to life.”
Alex Norris, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, added: “I am excited to hear that spades are getting in the ground at Port Tilbury with the help of funding from the Freeports programme.
“This pioneering EV hub will be a vital asset to Thames Freeport that is becoming one of the UK’s leaders in green transport innovation, a wonderful example of boosting local growth and job opportunities across the nation as promised in our Plan for Change.”
Martin Whiteley, Thames Freeport chief executive said: “This is a strong example of what Freeports were created to do - unlock investment, accelerate innovation, and deliver infrastructure that supports both economic and environmental goals.
“Fleete’s shared user commercial vehicle charging hub is exactly the kind of high-impact project that helps futureproof the UK’s logistics network. We’re proud to play our part in making zero-emission freight a reality at Port of Tilbury.”
Shaun Wood, Port of Tilbury senior asset manager, commented: “Breaking ground on this hub marks an important turning point in how we support the future of freight at Port of Tilbury.
“As the volume of goods moving through the port continues to grow, so too does the need for smart, sustainable infrastructure.
“This partnership with Fleete ensures we are not only meeting the operational demands of today’s logistics sector, but actively preparing for the zero-emission supply chains of tomorrow.”
Pictured left to right: Chris Morrison, Fleete chief executive; Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Sue Shinnick; and Martin Whiteley, Thames Freeport chief executive.
