Transport minister announces locations for new network of 54 zero emission HGV infrastructure hubs

Thu 06 March 2025 View all news

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood MP has announced the locations of 54 infrastructure hubs which are planned to power the coming generation of zero emission lorries. 

The sites, which are located throughout the UK, fall under the four schemes of Innovate UK's Zero Emissions HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme.

The announcement was made at the ZEHID summit in London - which was attended by over 400 businesses - organised by Innovate UK in partnership with the Department for Transport. The schemes include megawatt charging stations alongside hydrogen projects, located at a number of different sites, which serve a variety of commercial applications.

The projects set to benefit from the sites include:

  • eFREIGHT 2030 scheme; a consortium of electric HGV manufacturers, fleet operators, electric HGV charging infrastructure providers and data analysts.
  • GRIDSERVE-led Project Electric Freightway, which will focus on a charging network located at motorway service areas and commercial depots.
  • ZENFreight; which is undertaking both electric and hydrogen fuel cell HGV trials through a consortium of truck manufacturers, including DAF, Mercedes, Scania, Iveco and Volvo, for freight operators inlcuding DFDS and Gregory Distribution.
  • Hydrogen Aggregated UK Logistics (HyHAUL) project; specifically aimed at the M4 corridor to develop a hydrogen supply chain and provide public access hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Milence (a joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and the Volvo Group) has announced the opening of its first UK charging hub in Immingham

Milence's vision is to make future road transport fossil-free. To realize this, Milence is building a reliable charging network for all battery-electric heavy-duty trucks and coaches, regardless of brand. By 2027, the group says that it aims to have at least 1,700 high-performance charging points across Europe.

The Immingham hub, situated on the A180 with direct access to the M180, M18, and M1 motorways, is ideally placed to serve the vital transport and logistics operations connecting the UK with Europe.

Phase one of the Immingham hub boasts four high-performance CCS chargers, providing access to eight charging bays and offering a power output of up to 400kW. Designed to be a place for trucks and drivers alike to recharge, the site offers secure, fenced parking, access control, camera surveillance, and essential amenities such as restrooms and vending machines.

Milence says it is committed to providing a "seamless and user-friendly charging experience". Transparent pricing is a core principle, with the default tariff at £0.399/kWh (excluding VAT) clearly displayed at each charging point.

Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence, said: “This is just the first step in our UK expansion, and we are dedicated to working with all stakeholders to accelerate the shift towards a sustainable future for the transport industry.”

Established in July 2022, Milence operates as an independent, stand-alone company with an initial funding of €500 million.

Image: Courtesy Innovate UK

 

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