If you are looking to electrify your fleet, then you’re probably wondering about charging logistics. Yes, you can install charging points on your premises. But what’s the charging infrastructure like? Will your eHGVs be able to rely on getting a charge when they’re on the road?
In this post we’ll explore the current state of the UK’s eHGV charging structure, along with plans for its expansion.
For more information on how we can help you and your fleet, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
The Current State of the eHGV Charging Infrastructure
There are currently limited public charge points for eHGVs across the UK. The first HGV charging station in the UK opened a few years ago at Rivington Services, southbound on the M61 between Preston and Manchester. This remains the only dedicated truck-specific EV charging location in the UK, but there are limited eHGV charging points at other sites, such as on the A5 near Leighton Buzzard.
There are also eHGV charging points at Markham Moor truckstop in Nottinghamshire, and Voltloader and Gridserve operate a handful of public eHGV charge points across the UK.
So at the moment, eHGVs may struggle to find a charge point while on the road. Yet there are many plans to invest in new public charge points for eHGVs, so the charging infrastructure may grow significantly in the very near future.
Planned eHGV Charging Infrastructure Upgrades
Here are just a few of the planned eHGV charging infrastructure upgrades we may see in the next few years:
- Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners and Aegis Energy are planning a network of multi-energy recharging and refuelling facilities for commercial vehicles. This will begin with a five station network that they aim to complete by the end of 2027.
- Moto is planning to open a network of 15 “superhubs” for eHGVs by the end of 2027, which they hope to expand to 23 locations by 2030. Construction of the first two sites, at Exeter and Tamworth, seemingly began in April 2025.
- The UK Government recently announced a £10 million investment into technology that would allow EV chargers to run off-grid. This will apparently speed up the charge point rollout on motorways and major A-roads, which will presumably help boost the eHGV charging infrastructure.
- The Paua PINS (Private Infrastructure Network Solution) project will see the launch of shared charging depots in locations in Suffolk and Oxfordshire.
- Transport Scotland and Heriot Watt University has published a map of the most likely locations for eHGV charge points in Scotland.
How Will eHGV Charging Infrastructure Upgrades Affect HGV Fleets?
A bigger eHGV charging infrastructure could encourage more fleets to make the switch to EVs. A reliable network of public charge points will make it easier for electric fleets to operate across the country without worrying about where the next charge will come from.
Wider Impact of Switching to an eHGV Fleet
Beyond cutting emissions and potentially reducing running costs, switching to EVs will have a number of implications for fleets:
- Shared depots may become increasingly popular, as a means for fleets to charge their electric vehicles without having to invest in their own charge points. If you share a depot with multiple other businesses, it may raise some questions about security and logistics, which may affect your commercial fleet insurance.
- You can fill up a standard HGV with petrol or diesel in a matter of minutes. But currently, even the fastest chargers can take up to 45 minutes to charge an eHGV. This may force fleets to rethink their schedules to allow for ample charging time.
- Fleets may also have to consider how charging time might affect a driver’s hours. If a driver is spending around an hour waiting for their truck to charge, does this count as a break, or as “other work”? And how should they record this time on their tachograph?
Looking To Electrify Your Fleet?
We have a number of guides that may help you make some key decisions about electrifying your fleet:
- EV adoption strategies for fleets
- EV charger installation strategies for fleets
- An introduction to EV grants, risks, and targets
We can also advise you on the insurance implications of electrifying your fleet, before helping you access the specialist cover you need at a competitive price. For more information on how we can help you and your fleet, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
