HGV joint venture starts work on first UK charging hub

Milence, a joint venture between electric HGV makers Volvo, Daimler and Traton has begun work on its first UK truck charging hub.

Construction on the facility at Immingham is underway, with the first phase of the site expected to be operational by November this year.

The hub, designed specifically for electric HGVs will initially be equipped with four high-performance CCS chargers powering eight bays. A variety of amenities, such as sanitary facilities and vending machines for drinks and snacks will also be included.

A second phase will then see additional CCS and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) devices installed alongside expanded facilities including a lounge area.

Anja van Niersen, CEO at Milence: “Expanding into the UK with our first charging hub in Immingham represents a significant milestone for Milence. This strategic location not only enhances our ability to support the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions but also aligns with our commitment to driving the future of green logistics across Europe.”

Established in 2022 by Volvo, Daimler and Tracton – which builds Scania, MAN, Navistar, and Volkswagen heavy-duty vehicles – Milence aims to develop a Europe-wide network of charging facilities for electric HGVs. By 2027, it aims to have at least 1,700 high-performance charging points across key routes throughout Europe.

The Immingham site is seen as a key component in that plan due to its location. Located on the east coast of England, Immingham Port is the UK’s largest port by tonnage and boasts robust internal road and rail links, including direct access to major motorways such as the M180, M18, and M1. The port’s location also enables less-than-24-hour connectivity to the European mainland and a market of 170 million people, via more than 30 weekly sailings.

A robust charging network is seen as vital to ensuring the UK can meet its target to phase out combustion engine lorries by 2040. As part of the Electric Freightway project, Gridserve has committed to install more than 200 high-power chargers across motorway service areas and more than 10 commercial depot charging locations by the end of 2025.

BP Pulse also announced in March that it planned to turn Ashford International Truckstop into a major charging hub close to Dover and Folkestone.